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Johnson add Pawnee Goubties, Nebraska, 



CONTAiNiNC 



Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent 
and Representative Citizens of the County, 

TOCETHEH WITH 

PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATE, AND 
OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



y/ CHICAGO: 

CHAPMAN BROTHERS. 






1889. 




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HE greatest of English historians, .M aoaci.ky, and one of the most brilliant • writers 

of the past century, has said : "The history of a country is best told ina record of the 

ives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Portrait and Biographical 

Ai.i'.i.M of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can lie appreciated by but few our 
corps <>1' writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their 
enterprise and industry, brought the county to ;i rank second to none among those 

comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could he presented to an intelli- 
gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men ami women, with an 
3% influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed and 
records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many very 
many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way,' content 
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly •■to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
he lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise he 
inaccessible. Oreat care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers (latter thera- 
selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograph- 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 

publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, s e refused to a\y C the 

information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally m • member of 

the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested 
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls 
at their residence or place of business. 

<-■„„,.,„ m i , Q m„ CHAPMAN BROS. 

Chicago, March, 1889. 



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FIRST PRESIDENT. 



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HE Father of our Country was 
$) born in Westmorland Co., Va., 
Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
/ been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
t planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, when he received private instruction in 
mathematics/ His spelling was rather defective. 



2 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physical 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 175 t, though only in years of 
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The 



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-*•- 



■•*- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took, a most important part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
were disabled early in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says : "I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

After having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
vo resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
-if Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
del|ihia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress 10 pav them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 17S3, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army to 
to the Continental Congress sitting al Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection with public lite. 

In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments; trials from want ol harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking al the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his re[>ose 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in Irs throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have been able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and lo win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existehce of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tail, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. 
He commanded respect without any appearance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull. 



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SECOND PRESIDENT. 



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OHM ADAMS, the second 
, President and the first Vice- 
' President of the United States, 
was born in Braintree ( now 
Quincy ),Mass., and about ten 
miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1 640, with a family of eight 
*1. sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
"school of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1 764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- 



tions he offered on the subject became very populai 
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the I.eg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against the 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the committee of five 
appointed June n, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife, 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. " Vesterday," he says, "the 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God, It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



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games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. You will think me transported 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such proposels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties. 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 2i, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddespond- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip. 

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
his own country, where he arrived in June, 17 88. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President, though not without much opposition. 
Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by 
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was upon this point which he was at issue with 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
class of atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalt of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so 'active in creating and 
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
dependence forever." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, 
as his portrait manifests.was intellectual and expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 



T 




7/^7^&^t771- 



■*•- 



THIRD PRESIDENT. 




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HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
bum April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
spwell, Albermarle county, Va. 
His parents were Peter and 
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion 
and splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his murals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences, that he was not ruined. \n the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted fitteen 
horns a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The must difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 
«■ ' 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow. 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospec t of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected lor his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed u|>on a number of important committees, 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams. 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed 
to draw up the paper, franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 




4- 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



•►^ 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
Koverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, ;.s Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutas elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. 1, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and upon the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, T826, being the fiftieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were made in every pait of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
day, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that 
he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day which his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was a)l that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for the good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same grea-t 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage ; and his command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquity. 







.J 



J- <2yO(-^^" *t^t i^^^H CX^ 



«► i rvr 



FOURTH PRFSIDEA l. 



3' 



pri]ES npmsoi}. 





i 



AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution," and fourth 
'President of the United States, 
was born March 16, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
June 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that heroic period of our 
country during which the founda- 
tions of this great republic were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to be called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing upon a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
political attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



' 




prudent zeal ; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 177 1, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subst' 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ol 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, lie 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequent!} lost his election; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 

both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 

■ » 



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-•► 



3 2 



/AMES MADISON. 






intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island 
was represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little power at home and little respect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable power of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retinng 
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the 18th of June, 1812, President Madison gave 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, 1 8 1 3. was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling with the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in Febiuaiy, 
18 13, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of being 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 

♦>- 





^z^ 



■*•■ 



FIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 





* priQES njo^itoE. 






r* 



AMES MONROE, the fifth 
Presidentof The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Ya., April 28, 1 75S. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. When, 
at 17 years of age, in the process 
h of completing his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate upon the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
political emancipation. 'Che young cadet joined the 
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die witli her strife 
*•— — ■ 



fur liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- 
moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 177S, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Legislature of Virginia, and by that 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good, 





36 



JAMES MONROE. 



f 



he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
the Congress of the United States. 
Deeplyas Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
Confederacy, he was opposed-to the new Constitution, 
ihinking, with many others of the Republican party, 
'.hat it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with Fiance, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
right equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was diawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could aporeciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 

« • 



Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. He was again sent to Prance to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Their united efforts were sue • 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
Madison. While in this office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of the War Department 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return ol 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little opposition, and 
upon March 4, 18.7, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the Lhiited States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
to have European powers longer attempting to sub- 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by European 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the United States. 

At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
when he went to New Vork to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 183T. 

•► 




J. 2, At 



i^m 



•4+- 



SIX TIT PRESIDENT. 



39 



4- 





301)1) QHI1I6Y ^D7HTQS. ♦ 




OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of the United 
'States, was born in the rural 
home of his honored \ father, 
John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., 
on the i ith cf July, 17 67. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
worth, watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his fatner for Europe, 
through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Pan's, where 
his father was associated witli Franklin and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad Again 
John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to study; then accompanied his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
!o Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance 
with the most distinguished men on the Continent; 
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings, 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris lie again 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross tin- human mind. After 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to complete his education 
in an American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent support. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, a! the age of twenty, 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay anil Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Gieat Britian. After thus spending a fortnight in 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. While waiting he was married to an 
American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London; 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. 



T 



JL 



<+■ 



40 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, havingful- 
lilled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1S09, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an important 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817. Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, i8t9, for the United States. On the 
iSth of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
the past history of our country than the abuse which 

«*• ; 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, r829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was- succeeded by Andrew 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued witli un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
in its moral dating and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination ; 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore yeais, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the pra)er which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 21st of February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
said " This is the endof earth .-"then after a moment's 
pause he added, "lam content" These were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 




<2> &f^i~^=i^d-^~ 



-4- 



SE VENTH PRESinENT. 



^^*"H r~^* 



43 



-1- 

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1^ 




NDREW JACKSON, the 
eventh President of the 
United States, was born in 
Waxhaw settlement, N. C, 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
t heir abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
mother was successful in obtaining their exchange, 



and took her sick boys home. After a long illness 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supported himself in various ways, such as 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 178S, he was appointed 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
witn the Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new State was entitled to but one member in 
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jai k- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 




4 



44 



ANDRE IV JACKSON. 



sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
second term of office was then expiring, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held for six years. 

When the war of 1S12 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
expedition reached Natchez ; and after a delay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
"lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
i isive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fore on 
one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. i8ij. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
[lower of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with itsterriffic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that ihe haggard remnants 
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most memorable 
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died Tune 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 

•► 




^^J^JC* 



-«•■ 



EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 



^HM» 



47 



#t 








ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
, eighth President of the 
*^ United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
place, July 24, 1S62. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, beating a simple inscription 
about half way up on one face. 
v The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van I'.uren 
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

1 Ic was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
ve.us of study in a law-office were required of him 
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
spending six years in an office in his native village, 

««• 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1S03, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great -conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
cause of State Rights; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th. 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years 
constantly gaining strength by contending in the. 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The re< ord 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In r8i 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1S15, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 




•k 




MARTIN VAN BUR EN. 



\ 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage " which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 i he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
"State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret springs of action; how to pull all 
the wires to put his machinery in motion ; and how to 
organize a political army which would, secretly and 
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
few thought then could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
appointed Minister to England, where he went the 
snme autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused al! the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- 
tive. On the 20th of May, rS36, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the power to appoint a successor." 

His administration was filled with exciting events. 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re-election. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in rS48, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, i84t, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 





>fo. fc )9^z^c 



ri^s 



-*•■ 



NINTH PRESIDENT. 



••*« 



4- 



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-Hr 



WILLIAAt HENRY HARRISON. 



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ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President ut 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 

His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, w as early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
i William Henry, of course enjoyed 

in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough conirrion-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Dei laralion of Independence. 

Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
doned his medical studies and entered the army, 
having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 
-«•— 



dent Washington. 
From that time he 



He was then but hj years old. 
tassed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 

death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to till that 
position. 

In the spring of 1S00 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, « hi< h 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap- 
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost .is 
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times appointed to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his .ulminstration there were but 
three white settlementsin that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffii . < >ne of these settlements 
« 1,1111 the Ohio, ©site Louisville; <>ne at 

Vine enncs, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
id was tilled with many tribes of Indians. About 



5- 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 




t 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching 
Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "'J'he Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise In which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
znorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was, 
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and passion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompanied by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
dus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing th»* foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can - 
adas, were ot themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with tneir savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharinp 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In 18 (6, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress lie proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 1S10, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nomit:ated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler lorthe Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which anv President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisv-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of April; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States. 



^1^. 





(TTbfrl 




TENTH PRESIDENT. 



55 A 




®& JOHN TYLEMo^Kg^ 





4 



OHN TYLER, the tenth 
fL Presidentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
et of the court in which he was 
not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
1 ratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his countv. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General Govern- 



ment, a. protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes, Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. There was a rplit in the Democratic 



*►*-* 



■*•■ 



JOHN TYLER. 




party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
lor the better education of his children ; and he again 
took his seat in the Legislature ot Yuginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
1X39. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment ot 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1S41, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed tc the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrisoni had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccommsfided a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. He suggested, however, tli il be would 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig triends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unspeakable lelief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tylei -was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoved a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to desiroy, by 
force of amis, the Government over which he had 
once nresided. he was taken sick and soon died, 






<JL^c^ ?c 



oc^ 



^c 



<m^ 



■*•■ 



ELE i i-.yrii presidj.x T. 



59 





AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 

■ President of the United States, 

fj was born in Mecklenburg Co., 

N. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 

■ bSSjjj cuts were Samuel and Jane 

(Knox) Polk, the former a son 

of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 

at the above place, as one of the 

first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1006, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk fainly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth until 
he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with loft) 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 181S, with the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but £l leu- 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. 
I le was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 

•► 



•►Hl^* 



JAMES K. POLK. 



*t 



courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the joy s and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, iS45,Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message, President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, .which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of "observation," then of "occupation," 
then of "invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It was by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 
#► 



■<•- 



TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



63 




p.va , am\awaam\m\t&mx»m\m'*i\o\i«*. «% 



JgJ&ffltJ&KY ^ATfcOIt 






*^t£ 



ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
^President of the United States, 
was born on the 24th of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
i> father, Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
all its refinements, young Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1S0S, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 18 1 2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison. on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
ed by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 181 2, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages then, baffled at ever)' point, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, Major Taylor was.placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in— 



•►Hl^ 



6 4 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



^L* 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose lo the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

for twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
had promised they should do. The services rendered 
here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
and was stationed over the Department of the South- 
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for live years, buried, as it were, 
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imposed upon him. 

In 1846, (ien. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
wis brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
the sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

Tne tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
1 luing that he was not at all qualified for such an 
office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
who had been long years in the public service found 
their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians. 

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. 
His last words were, "I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
di( es, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
'touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, 
few men have ever had a more "comfortable, labor- 
saving contempt for learnirg of every kind." 








u^oC' 



jL£6i^ocrtx) 



-*•• 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



67 




**+ 







MILLftRH FILLMDRE. 



4- 






** 



« 



^ 





ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
§) teenth President of the United 
States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., X. Y ., on 
the 7th of January, 1S00. Ills 
^^ father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she possessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds ol~ 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mi 1 there was a small villiage, where some 
-<• 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate; 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory , and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his abilitj and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
r.0 friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that lie kindly offered to 
take him into his own offii e, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion about 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has gi duated .it some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university halls 
snd then enters a law office, who is by no means as 



f 




MILLARD FILLMORE. 



*t 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was 
admitted to the Court_ of Co'iimon Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in t he 
Legislature, still the testimony comes from all parties, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degn e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress He entered that troubled 
irena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave him strength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
namesof Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of th\e Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. hill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March S, 1874. 



•<- 



FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



7i 




^B#- ^FRANKLIN FIEREE^ -^tf 



1 








RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
' L'nited States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most popular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 
< • 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied: it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
lie was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just :is Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with winch her husband was honoicd. Of the 
■ '► 



•►Hf^ 



"•► 



72 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



4 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1S38, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pieice 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be- 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 
an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and- half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- ' 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and o:ie of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 

•»- 





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JU 



FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 






75 





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4 



AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn.,on 
■S> the 23d of April, 1 7 9 1. The place 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stood was called Stony 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little property save his 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
facility. 

In the year 1S09, he graduated with the highest 
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to tlie bar in 181 2, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate 01 e of the 
judges of the State, who was tried upon article oi 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. lackson, upon his elevation to the Presidem j , 
appointed Mr. Bu< hanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
1833, lie was elected in a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri- 

' •» 



•►41^ 



7 6 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country ; and defended the course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
porters of his administration. Upon this question he 
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the 
circulation of anti-slavery documents bv the United 
States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had 
no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," 
said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the course our Government pursued in that 
movement 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050, 
which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
Buchanan witli the mission to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
ceived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On 
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
allied in political principles and action for years, were 
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
[n this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 
ts 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws. 
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. He therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
operation of the Government to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This 
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed. " The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, 1S60; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston: Fort Sumpter 
was besieged; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's 
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion. 
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June 1, 1868. 




fa 




<^ 



G^^^^T^ 



h 



■++ 



SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



4- 




3IS3S38I3' 



ABRAHAM , 













LINCOLN, 







^ 



r 



BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteenth President of the 
United States, was born in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
1809. About the year 1780, a 
man by the name of Abraham 
Lincoln left Virginia with his 
family and moved into the then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
field, was stealthily approached by 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
)oys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth forever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched 
log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push nut into the world, a friend- 
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
laborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- 
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
"All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 

4* 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he read 
and re-read until they were almost committed to 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aideil his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his fir- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
education and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power, He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and bei ame 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
Cod's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the 
Ix)rd thy Cod in vain;" and a profane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield. 
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat. 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin- 
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven- 



■•* 




8o 



^ 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



I con 
f Th 



tare his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return tney placed a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak, of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
l.ickson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
o.ie hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
r836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 I he great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1S56, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. .The issue was on the 
slavery question, and lie look the broad ground of 
.lie Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the r6th of June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. An immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
nrominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: 
and as little did he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
only, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row," 
and in the contusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to 
take him from HarrisL'urg, through Baltimore, at an 
unexpected hour of the night. The train statted at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent at.y possible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
important positions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo*h personal and national Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
made fir his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to oneof them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would be present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country will 
live with that of Washington's, ils father; his country- 
men being unable to decide which is the greater. 

-+ 



i 





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r 4&>7l^ 



u 



SE VENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



83 



i 




V^^vITi' 1 --/® 




T 



NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
States. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
was born December 29, 1808, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer even the slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book, 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos- 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature, 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1 S40 " stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important post for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these res]>onsible posi- 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abil- 



J= 



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1 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



*HJb«? 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
said he on the floor of. the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of 1800, ne 
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the South- 
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
fhey do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be punished; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent 



opposition to. the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotent';- 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the day s of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 a.m., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 



"T 





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^7 



EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



^► ^ 1 1 < • 



87 




I 



LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
eighteenth President of the 
j* United States, was born on 
the 29th of April, 1S22, of 
Christian parents, in a humble 
home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resacade la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
side of the aniroa.1, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of' Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to t lie 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, lie said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. 1 am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this wartoo." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the 15th of 



*H^ 



88 



UL YSSES S. GRA NT. 



» ifcj * 



June, 1861, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
ihat he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon the duties of his new office. 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, r872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 



t 




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1 



JU 



NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 



9« 




Z I '.», ■,.'r,.'r. | l ",. v,. | l i, .iv:.w l ".w l ",. | i',. | i '. •: ■'.' .' .' : ■' . ■ ■.•■'■'•.' ■••i'ggi | ^i«^» t ^i'^ t ^i' : .' . j 

ra RUTHERIORD B % KA,Y'ES, fji 






UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 

>) the nineteenth President of 
the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as r28o, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
land in 16S0, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Hrattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



-4*- 



born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



tie I 



-•fr 



92 



lil'TllERFORD B. HAYES. 



4* 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the..months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
him, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You 
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1S25, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he went to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1 845, after graduating at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- 
quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members such men as^hief justice Salmon P.Chase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in afterlife. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
even body knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
in' ire than she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1S61, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sunipter found him eager to take up 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright aid illustrious. In 
October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel oi his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "forgallant and distil guished services 
during the campaigns of 1804, in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. 

In rS64, Gen. Hayes waselected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1S66. 

1. 1867, Gen Hayes \v is elected Governor of ( mio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 

In 1S76 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hi d long contest was chosen President, and was in 
ancjurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, hewever, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his admi nitration was an average on.= 



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4 



*-»-«- 



TWENTIETH rHESIHENT. 



95 



^^//*\\L^ 



^ I MIE'S^ A... ^ARFIEM). | 







*$::s<^::s«>s;s*s:;i^£;:j* 







AMES A. GARi'TELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. 19, 
1831, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and Eliza 
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
. ds about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
.ween the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
aid working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
deared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built, 
the household comprised the father and mother and 
iheir four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and 
James. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- 
tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
•his time James was about eighteen months old, and 
[Tiomas, about ten years-old. No one, perhaps, can 
tell how much James was indebted t' > his biothers 
mil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two os- 
iers live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or .lid anything thai 
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
mother in he' struggles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of hi? 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seatsof honor, 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly- 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sureof the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until he 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, whi( h his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city. 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, lie engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. Here- 
mained at this work but a short time when he went 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1S50, of 
which church he wis then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. 
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
"exhausted Hiram "and needed more; hence, in the 
fill of 1854, heenteied Williams < lollege, from which 
he graduated in [856J taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class, lb- afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above slated, he early- 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
ii and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Vale College, says of him in reference to his religion: 



r 



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JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



4- 



f 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian communions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they Step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
larian charity for all 'who love our Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. rr, 1858, who proved herself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first politicalspeeches in 1S56, 
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass T meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in r86r was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
(Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff." 

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for sixty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. There he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
lias been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which 
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu- 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting nofurlhei 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. Foreighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J , on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. 



t 



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TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT. 



99 , , 





1^ • t^f^ 9 ^^^^-^^ 



':M 




HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

twenty-first Presi^-m of the 

United States, was born in 

Franklin Courty, Vermont, on 

thenfthof Oc'ober, 1S30, and is 

the oldest of a family of two 

sons and five daughters. His 

father was the Rev. Dr. William 

Arthur, a Baptist d'.rgy man, who 

emigrated to tb'.s country fro r n 

the county Antrim, Ireland, in 

his 1 8th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S( henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration of that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
and entered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward nvw'-'d the daughter of Lieutenant 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs. 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



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IOO 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
20, 1 87 8, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was composed of the leading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
reived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
lor Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
.vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
March 4, 1SS1, as President and Vice-President. 
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
c ime terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored position in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and the world, as never 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many important measures were to be immediately 
decided by him; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 






7^rt6^T C/^tsz/^-C^l 



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TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



103 \ 








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TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supporting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had . considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
M. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 



f 



104 



■** 



S. GROVER CLEVELAND. 



•f 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
ne left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
jsk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stockbreeder of that place. The latter did not 
speak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked 
the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
any." 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, while he could " look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of S3 or §4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
It," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated ; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two 
criminals. In 1SS1 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 

4* 



i 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worse 
than squander the people's money." The New York 
Sua afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
ii, 1S84, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors, were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of 
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of 
Arkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inauguration. 



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4~ 



TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT. 



107 





mjamin ,^rra^mson, 




..o*o-@v > <^3>.o*o.. 




EN.IAMIN HARRISON, the 
1 , twenty-third President, is 
ij the descendant of one of the 
historical families of this 
country. The head of the 
family was a Major General 
Harrison, one of Oliver 
Cromwell's trusted follow- 
and fighters. In the zenith of Crom- 
well's power it became the duty of this 
Harrison to participate in the trial of 
Charles I, and afterward to sign the 
death warrant of the king. He subse- 
quently paid for this with his life, being 
hung Oct. 13, 1660.* His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
family that appears in history is Benja- 
min Harrison, of Virginia, great-grand - 
father of the subject of this sketch, and 
after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison 
was a member of the Continental Congress during 
the years 1774-5-6, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
was three times elected Governor of Virginia. 
Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the 

-4. 



distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc- 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 181 2, 
and with a clean record as Governor of the North- 
western Territory, was elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His career was cut short 
by death within one month after his inauguration. 
President Harrison was born at North Bend, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1833. His life up to 
the time of his graduation by the Miami University, 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
try lad of a family of small means. His father was 
able to give him a good education, and nothing 
more. He became engaged while at college to the 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female school 
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- 
ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin- 
cinnati and then read law for two years. At the 
expiration of that time young Harrison received the 
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him 
a lot valued at £800. He regarded this legacy as a 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, take 
this money and go to some Eastern town and be- 
gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with 
the money in his pocket, he started out with his 
young wife to fight for a place in the world. He 




108 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



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decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at 
that time a town of promise. He met with slight 
encouragement at first, making scarcely anything 
the first year. He worked diligently, applying him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
fession. He is the father of two children. 

In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speaker. He can- 
vassed the .State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 18G2 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of the rawest of material, 
but Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
when he therefore came to move toward the East 
witli Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
drilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he 
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
at Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
complimentary terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
the Supreme Court declared the office of the Su- 
preme Court Reporter vacant, and another person 
was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
ing Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 186 1 
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time 
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
for another terra. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
man, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet 
fever, and after a most trying siege made his way 
to the front in time to participate in the closing 
incidents of the war. 

In 18C8 Gen. Harrison declined a re-election as 
reporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 187G 
he was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 
feated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him 
a National reputation, and he was much sought, es- 
pecially in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
as usual, he took an active part in the campaign, 
and was elected to the United States Senate. Here 
he served six years, and was known as one of the 
ablest men, best lawyers and strongest debaters in 



that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial 
term he returned to the practice of his profession, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most memorable in the history of our country. The 
convention which assembled in Chicago in June and 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican party, was great in every partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- 
sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief 
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
thither to pay their respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in the 
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his 
power as a debater, he was called upon at an un- 
commonly early age to take part in the discussion 
of the great questions that then began to agitate 
the country, lie was an uncompromising anti- 
slavery man, and was matched against sonic of the 
most eminent, Democratic speakers of his Slate. 
No man who felt the touch of his blade desired to 
lie [lilted with him again. With all his eloquence 
as an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect, 
but his words always went like bullets to the mark, 
lie is purely American in his ideas and is a splen- 
did type of the American statesman. Gifted with 
quick perception, a logical mind anil a reads' tongue, 
he is one of the most distinguished impromptu 
speakers in (lie Nation. Many of these speeches 
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse 
statements havealready become aphorisms. Origi- 
nal in thought, precise in logic, terse in statement, 
yet withal faultless iii eloquence, he is recognized as 
the sound statesman and brilliant orator of the day 



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-m DAVID BUTLER 





S«s;-<l!N®'fe 




HE HON. DAVID BUT- 
LER. Closely connected 
with the early history 
and the development of 
Nebraska and associated 
with it at perhaps the most 
critical period of its his- 
tory, the gentleman whose biogra- 
phy is here sketched must ever be 
remembered by the citizens of the 
State in that association. Chosen 
by an overwhelming majority in 
18GG to be the first to occupy the 
Governor's chair under the new 
organization ; re-elected with en- 
thusiasm to the same office in 
18G8, and yet again honored by 
the confidence of the people in 1870, he has done 
perhaps as much as any one individual in safely 
launching the "Ship of State," Nebraska, upon her 
unparalleled voyage of ever-growing success. 

Gov. Butler was born in Greene County, Ind., 
near the town of Linton, Dec. 15, 1829. He is the 
eldest sun of ten children, of whom six survive. 
The grandfather of our subject, Thomas Butler, 
was a native of Virginia, and removed to Indiana 
and became one of the earliest pioneers of that Ter- 
ritory. As the country developed he was promi- 
nently identified with the various enterprises that 
helped to that end, and enjoyed the greatest confi- 
dence and respect of all who knew him. The maiden 
name of his wife was Mary Robinson. 

The father of our subject was born in the year 
1809, was reared upon the pioneer farm of his 



father, and grew up amid surroundings that would 
to-day be anything but congenial by reason of the 
primitive condition. He became an enterprising 
ami prosperous farmer, and also dealt very exten- 
sively in cattle. lie became the husband of Nancy 
Christy, the daughter of Joseph Christy, Esq. Like 
her father, she was born in North Carolina. 

The early life and boyhood of our subject were 
spent amid agricultural surroundings, and such 
education as he obtained was received first in a 
private school, where he was prepared for the pub- 
lic institution, in both of which he made rapid prog- 
ress, and drank as deeply as was permitted at the 
fountain of knowledge. He remained upon the 
farm until he was twenty-one years of age, but long 
before attaining his majority was a thorough, prac- 
tical farmer, and understood all that was necessary 
in regard to the management of stock. In his 
youth he had given promise of powers and intelli- 
gence, and though they lay dormant for many years, 
were bound to make themselves known and felt, as 
had been the case of the Virginian pioneer in In- 
to whom reference was made above. 

Upon attaining his majority Mr. Butler began 
farming on his own account, supplementing the 
same by trading in cattle, which he drove through 
to Wisconsin, where they were at a premium, ow- 
ing to the fact that the country was just being 
opened n p for settlement. He continued iliu- 
engaged until the year 1852, when he embarked in 
mercantile pursuits, retaining, however, his interest 
in his cattle trade. These engagements, although 
somewhat diverse, were not incompatible, and in 
them he was quite prosperous until the financial 



■•►*-«. 




■•► 



£J 



' ) 112 



DAVID BUTLER. 



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crash of 1857. He was a heavj' loser at that time 
in the failure of the Citizens' Bank at Gosport, 
lnd., and also through the inability of many of 
his creditors to meet their payments from a like 
cause. lie, however, struggled manfully against 
the relentless tide of difficulty that threatened 
utter ruin, and finally succeeded in paying dollar 
for dollar of every liability, with interest due. Mr. 
Butler in early youth took an unusual interest in 
political questions, and proved that he possessed a 
grasp of mind and independence of character by 
forsaking the Democratic traditions of his father's 
house, and casting his first vote for the Republican 
party at its birth. In 1856 he was nominated by 
the Republicans of the Twentieth District in Indiana 
for the State (Senate. Not having had any politi- 
cal experience, and the opposition springing a third 
candidate, he was persuaded to withdraw before 
the election, not, however, without having made a 
spirited canvass, though a partial one. 

In the fall of 1859 Mr. Butler removed to Paw- 
nee City, Neb., and there associated himself with 
the Hon. W. 1!. Raper, and with that gentleman 
embarked again in business; 1 nit even here he re- 
tained his interest in the cattle trade, and was very 
shortly gratified to see his earnest efforts rewarded, 
and to be able to fill a larger place than had been 
possible before his trials in 1857. This partnership 
lasted until 1861, when Mr. Butler was elected a 
member of the Territorial Legislature. 

In 18C3 Mr. Butler was elected State Senator for 
a term of two years, representing the First District, 
which comprised the counties of Richardson, Paw- 
nee, Johnson, (Sage, Clay, Jefferson, and all the un- 
organized territory lying to the westward. Both 
in the House and Senate Mr. Butler made his 
mark, and did good service for his constituents 
and the State, and it was as a result of the ability 
then manifested and recognized, the personal worth 
and high character sustained by him, that he was 
nominated and by a large majority vote passed by 
the hand of the people to the highest chair of 
office within the gift of the people. 

Among the services rendered the State by Mr. 
Butler while in the Legislature may be mentioned 
the introduction of a bill for the reapportioning of 
Nebraska, the passage of which he worked very 
hard to procure, but in Legislative halls as in every 
other the green-eyed monster of jealousy is bound 
to find admittance. It was so in this case, and to 
this was due the failure of our subject in spite of 
his hard work; but upon renewing the fight in the 
Senate he was successful, and the bill went through 
intact. 

As above noted Mr. Butler was elected Gover- 
nor in I860 of the newly admitted State, and dur- 



ing his term of office managed the affairs of State 
so wisely and so well as to receive at both the two 
subsequent elections the expression of a grateful 
people byre-election to the same high office. While 
serving his second term as Governor, the Legislature 
committed to his care the delicate and laborious 
work of removing the capital from the city of Omaha 
to a central position in the interior of the State, a 
part of Nebraska then almost uninhabited. This 
was successfully accomplished, and a State House, 
State University and Lunatic Asylum erected with- 
out the aid of legislative appropriations. The 
city of Lincoln with its public buildings is a monu- 
ment of Gov. Butler's financial sagacity in the man- 
agement of affairs of State. 

After retiring from the Governorship Mr. Butler 
returned to and continued mercantile life, prosecut- 
ing the interest connected therewith even more 
extensively than before. He continued to make 
Pawnee City his headquarters until 18G8, when he 
removed to Lincoln, the capital, residing there un- 
til 1871, when he located upon his present farm 
three miles west of Pawnee City. This beautiful 
property, which is known as the Uplands Stock 
Farm, comprises 320 acres, which is supplied 
with admirably arranged and substantially con- 
structed buildings, such as would be needed for 
his purpose. Besides dealing in cattle, he raises 
and feeds quite a large number annually, while 
every winter considerable attention is paid to the 
fattening of cattle for the market. At one time 
he was a breeder of Short-horn cattle, and his 
farm was well stocked with thoroughbreds of the 
most favored breeds of both cattle and hogs. 

The marriage of Mr. Butler was celebrated in 
January 1 SCO, when he was united with Miss 
Lydia Storey, of Bloomington, lnd. The family 
circle of Gov. Butler comprises four children, who 
hear the names subjoined: Violet E., Seth D., 
Darias and Paul. At all times our subject has 
taken a most active interest in the political and 
general interests of Nebraska, and has been unfail- 
ing in his efforts to advance the same. On the 
4th of September, 1888, he was nominated for 
Governor on the Union Labor ticket as their 
standard bearer, and stumped the State in behalf 
of the movement. He is a prominent member of 
the I. O. O. F., and is affiliated with Interior 
Lodge No. !>, at Pawnee City. Gov. Butler is a 
man of much reserve force, bright, clear intellect, 
possessing in no small measure the power that is 
indispensable in directing and managing enter- 
prises of magnitude. He is at all times a true gen- 
tleman, strong in friendship, ever genial, affable 
and courteous, both winning and retaining the ad- 
miration, respect and friendship of his fellows. 



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ROBERT W, FURNAS- 




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^ON. ROBERT WILKIN- 
SON FURNAS was the 
second gentleman to re- 
ceive from the people of 
the State the high honor 
of being elected Gover- 
nor. He was chosen to fill this po- 
sition in the year 1873, and retired 
^L^Sfi&S^? at the close of his term, having 
earned the good-will, respect and 
admiration of the whole people by 
reason of his excellent administra- 
tion. He was born in Troy, Miami 
Co., Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1824. 
His parents were natives of South 
Carolina, in which State also the grandfather had 
been born. His great-grandfather was a member of 
a good old English family, and was born at Stand- 
ing Stone, in the county of Cumberland, England. 
He was brought up and educated in his native place, 
and when a young man was there married, and then 
started with his wife for the New World. They 
landed in South Carolina about the year 1762. 
Thomas Furnas, the third child of John and Mary 
Furnas, was born in 170S, six years after the settle- 
ment of his parents in America, as above noted. 
William Furnas was the fifth child and only son of 
Thomas and Esther Furnas. The chosen occupa- 
tion of this interesting family for several genera- 
tions has been that of farming. The chief institu- 
tion, at that time, of the South, in connection with 
all labor, especially Held work, was i hat of slavery, 
and the members of the early generations of this 



family were most conscientious members of the 
Quaker Church, which looked upon it as an abomi- 
nation.. This was the occasion finally of their re- 
moval to Ohio, which they did in 1804, settling in 
the Miami Valley. It was in the home there estab- 
lished that the subject of this sketch was born. He 
is the eldest of a family of three children, and the 
only one now living. His twin brother died in in- 
fancy, and his younger sister at the age of fifteen. 

In 1832 the parents of our subject were stricken 
down by the ravages of that dreaded plague, the 
cholera, which swept over the country at that time, 
taking in its course, old and young, rich and poor, 
without distinction. In this trying time the natural 
guardians of the life of our subject, the directors 
of his footsteps, the instructors of his life, were re- 
moved, and he was left to struggle and battle in 
the conflict of life unaided by them. Then, when 
the clouds seemed darkest and thickest, his grand- 
father stepped forward in order to supply, at least 
in some measure, the place thus left vacant, and 
with him he remained until he reached his seven- 
teenth year, working on the farm during the sum- 
mer, and during the winter attending school. He 
seized every opportunity afforded for the increase 
of knowledge, and has ever continued to add to his 
store, and his reputation is that of a well-read, 
thoroughly educated gentleman. 

As soon as our subject attained the above-men- 
tioned age, he went to Covington, Ky., and there 
served an apprenticeship to the printing business, in 
the office of the Licking Valley Register, published 
by Richard C. Langdon. It was at that time one 



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*•■ 



11 fi 



ROBERT WILKINSON FURNAS. 



4 



of the most noted newspapers, and its editor, one 
of the first newspaper men in the West or South. 
Young Furnas remained in this office until 1843, 
and acquired a large store of practical knowledge 
of trade, general business, and life, as well as con- 
siderable information upon all ordinary topics, be- 
sides the specific attainment desired in the knowl- 
edge of the business. The benefit of this schooling 
is perhaps clearly traceable even in the present, and 
the immediate past. Leaving Covington he pro- 
ceeded to Cincinnati, opened a book and job office, 
and continued in the printing business at that place 
for two years with good success. 

Near the close of that time, and in the year 1845, 
our subject was united in marriage with Mary S. 
McComas, a native of Ohio, and a most excellent 
lady, one who has the power and ability to assist 
him in life, and fitted to grace any position in so- 
ciety, however high. There have been born of this 
union five children. 

One of the first public engagements entered into 
by our subject when he became a voter was when, in 
company with several other young men, he felt the 
necessity of education as the means necessary to 
power in this life in any of its relations. They 
bound themselves to advocate the building of the 
school-house in Troy, and a lot was reserved for 
that purpose. Older citizens, perhaps not so well 
alive to the progressive spirit of the age, thought it 
unnecessary, and threw in the way a thousand ob- 
jections. The young men were defeated at the 
pules the first year, but nothing daunted continued 
the contest, and the next year carried their point 
by a small majority, with the result that a #1 7,000 
school-house was erected, and has stood a monu- 
ment to the enterprise and foresight of these young 
men. Upon the success of the above undertaking, 
Mr. Furnas was elected one of the School Directors, 
which he continued to be until his removal to Ne- 
braska, when he resigned. 

Our subject was only twenty-three years of age 
when he became proprietor of the Troy Times, an 
organ of the Whig party, of which also he was the 
editor and publisher, and by his trenchant articles 
did much service in the Taylor campaign. In 1852 
he sold this paper, and was engaged first as Freight 
and Ticket Agent, afterward as conductor for the 



Dayton & Michigan Railroad, continuing until 1856. 
In March of that year he emigrated to this State, 
established himself at Brownville, and in July of 
the same year established the Brownville Advertiser, 
and entered the arena of political life. He became 
a very zealous advocate of the agricultural and edu- 
cational interests of the State, and in the fall of 
that year was elected to the Territorial Legislature. 
Here the masterly qualities that have since distin- 
guished him before the State were made manifest. 
During his term of office, as noted in the foregoing 
paragraph, our subject originated the school system 
of the Territory, which was modeled in its general 
features after the sjstem of Ohio. In the year 1858 
he was re-elected and again took his seat in the 
Legislature. In 1861 he was elected Chief Clerk, 
and early in the spring was commissioned Colonel 
in the United States Regular Army, and received 
orders from the Secretaiy of War to organize the 
loyal Indians and have them mustered into the serv- 
ice. He was successful in his mission and raised 
three regiments. These were fully equipped, and 
Col. Furnas commanded them in the Southern ex- 
pedition under Gen. Blunt, which took in the bor- 
ders of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and the Indian 
Territory. Resigning his commission after having 
done splendid work with his command, he returned 
and went to work to recruit, and established the 
2d Nebraska Cavalry, and added fresh glories to 
the already brilliant record of military achieve- 
ment. With this command he served under Gen. 
Sully in the now renowned "Sully expedition" 
against the Sioux Indians, wherein the}- were pursued 
to British Columbia. 

The next four years our subject was employed 
as Indian Agent for the Omaha and Winnebago 
Indians, which he resigned to take his place at the 
helm of the State as already recorded. Among the 
man}' honors worn so gracefully, and in such manly 
spirit, are: Regent of the State University, Presi- 
dent of the State Board of Agriculture, President 
of the State Agricultural Society, President of the 
State Soldiers' Union, Vice President of the National 
Pomological Association, Past Grand Master of 
the I. O. O. F., Past Grand High Priest, and Past 
Grand Commander of the Masonic bodies of the 
State of Nebraska. 



m» 



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SILAS QARBER. ■■«. 




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HLAS GARBER. This (lis 
tinguished and well-known i- it. 
izen of Nebraska served the 
State most acceptably as its 
Governor for the two terms, 
from 1871 to 1878. He was 
born in Logan County, Ohio, 
Sept. 21, L888. There he passed 
his boyhood days, attending the 
common schools and developing 
into a sturdy and promising young 
man. At the early age of seven- 
teen years he was determined to 
strike out for himself and see what 
he could do toward making his own 
living, lie was ambitious, yet we 
very much doubt whether the beard 
less young man who turned his face Westward in 
1850 ever had the remotest idea that he would 
himself some day be at the head of a great com- 
monwealth, that would be created still further 
toward the setting sun. At that time he came into 
Iowa, which was receiving such floods of emigrants 
from the older settled States. He located in Clay 
ton County and engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
the occupation which has done so much toward de 
veloping some of the best men our Nation has 
produced. His life for some years was uneventful. 



yet he was being disciplined and prepared for the 
honorable and useful positions he was to fill in 
after years. He took an active interest in all pub- 
lic matters, and was a well-informed, hard-working 
young man. 

When the stars and stripes which had so long 
Moated above Ft. Sumter were fired upon and the 
little garrison compelled to surrender, the patriot- 
ism of the North was aroused as never before in the 
history of the country. Thousands of the hesl 
men of the Nation immediately volunteered their 
services t.i aid in suppressing the monstrous rebell- 
ion, which had replaced the American banner with 
the stars and liars. Among this vast army of pa- 
triotic men might have been found Silas Garber, 
He was mustered into the .'id .Missouri Infantry, 
which was known as the famous Lyon Regiment 
He served with this regiment for one year, when 
he was mustered out and returned to Clayton 
County, lie. however, did not long remain in the 
quiet of that peaceful section, for we soon again 
find him at the front. Now he is First Lieutenant 
of Company 1). 27th Iowa Infantry, which he 
raised. His valiant services soon received recogni- 
tion, and he was promoted to be Captain of the 
company, which position he faithfully and ably 
tilled until the close of the war. He participated 
in all the battles of the Red River campaign, and 

■» 



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120 



SILAS GARBER. 



Pleasant Hill., La., the battles of Old Oaks. Miss., 
Nashville, Tenn., and others under the command of 
Gen. A.J. Smith. 

Upon being mustered out of military service 
Capt. Garber returned to Clayton County, but soon 
thereafter went to California, where he passed the 
next four years. He came to Nebraska in the early 
part of 1870, and found a suitable location in "Web- 
ster County, where he still resides, being the oldest 
resident in Red Cloud. He was indeed a pioneer 
of the Great West, for when he located in Webster 
County there were but two settlers in the county. 

Upon locating in Red Cloud and ever since Mr. 
Garber has taken a most important part in both 
her business and political affairs. He engaged in 
farming and merchandising, and is to-day Presi- 
dent of the Farmers' & Merchants' Banking Com- 



pany of that city, and also largely identified with 
its material interests. He was chosen the first 
Probate Judge of the count}', and also represented 
his district in the Legislature, and served for one 
year as Register of the United States Land Otlice 
at Lincoln. 

Capt. Garber became popular both with the peo 
pie and the politicians, ami was nominated for 
Governor by the Republican Convention, which 
assembled at Lincoln Sept. 3, 1874, and was elected 
by a handsome majority. He served so acceptably 
that he was renominated by the convention which 
met Sept. 26, 1876. He was again endorsed at the 
polls in November, and served until the close of 
his term in 1878. He then retired to his home at 
Red Cloud, where he has since resided, a highly 
respected and useful citizen. 




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CA^oOi^^L c/h^U^O 



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albinus ust^hstoie 



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. ALBINUS NANCE, 
Fourth Governor of the 
State of Nebraska, and in 
that connection the recip- 
ct&*=5^. ^J?£2!^^X{\< ient of the confidence, ad- 

^eF^fir^-w^eyw^-c. .... 

miration and highest es- 
teem of the people, not simply of 
Nebraska, but wherever his most ex- 
cellent administration is known. If, 
however, it be but borne in mind 
that Gov. Nance is a descendant of 
a long line of noble representatives 
of a certain Huguenot family, whose 
members were of the stamp and 
stuff of which martyrs and heroes 
are made, and therefore persons of thought, con- 
viction and strength of character, it is not surpris- 
ing that he should (Kisses-, the same, which under 
the more happy regime of present government and 
liberality of opinion, should bring him into promi- 
nence and enable him in his high station to sustain 
a reputation most brilliant. 

The ancestors of Gov. Nance on his father's side 
were of that number driven from France by the 
religious intolerance and persecution that followed 
the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. With many 
others similarly situated they came to the New 
World and formed what became a very prosperous 
community in the State of North Carolina, their 
descendants moving North and Westward, ever 



in the vanguard of progress, as section after sec- 
tion and district after district were located. 

The subject of our sketch was born on the 30th 
of March, 1848, at Lafayette, Stark Co., 111., and 
he is the oldest son of Dr. Hiram Nance, for many 
years one of the most successful physicians and 
able surgeons in Central Illinois. His settlement 
in that State dates back to 1886. It was the Far 
West of that period, and was filled with far more 
of danger, difficulty and hardship, and demanded 
more spirit, bravery and self-denial than is con- 
ceivable in these days, when the bands of steel pass 
by the door of the Western pioneer, and thus 
bring him into almost immediate contact with the 
great world of civilization. The ancestry of Gov. 
Nance upon the maternal side of the family was 
English. The maiden name of his mother was 
Sarah R. Smith, who was born in the State of Ohio. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War Albums was 
but a lad of thirteen, hut his patriotic soul was 
fired with loyal enthusiasm, and he chafed severely 
at the restraint, of years that prevented him taking 
a more able stand in defense of the Union. At a 
later period of the struggle and when just sixteen 
years of age, he enlisted in the 'Jth Illinois Cavalry. 
The youthful defender and intrepid young soldier 
was mustered in contrary to both the wishes and 
continued earnest protests of his parents and friends. 
But he could know no restraint in this matter, and 
was determined to follow the stars and stripes, 



-^*h+ 



iL 124 



-•*■ 



ALBINUS NANCE. 



and to defend them if so needed until the death. 

He continued in the service until the close of the 
war, and participated as an active combatant in 
the battles of Guntown, Hurricane Creek, Franklin, 
Nashville, Tupelo, Spring Hill and Columbia, Tenn. 
lie was one in the line that made one of the most 
daring and gallant charges at the battle of Nash- 
ville, and was slightly wounded in the same. 

The necessity for war being passed, Cavalryman 
Nance returned his saber to its sheath, and when 
the regiment disbanded returned to his home and 
became a student at Knox College, Galesburg, 111., 
where he took part of the classic course. Soon 
after leaving college he commenced the stud}' of 
law, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar by the 
Supreme Court of Illinois, after passing in the best 
possible manner a very rigid examination. 

Standing upon the threshold of life, the future 
stretching before him, animated by the grandeur 
of the prospect supplied by hope and ambition, the 
subject of our sketch was more fascinated and im- 
pressed by the opportunities and inducements held 
out by the newer country, and pursuant thereto he 
decided to come to Nebraska, as the most promis- 
ing of all the States and Territories of that mag- 
nificent field. This was in 1871. He secured a 
homestead in Polk County, devoting part of his 
time to fanning, but the larger part to the practice 
of his chosen profession; but his experience was 
such as almost invariably follows — his, ability was 
speedily recognized and his legal wink rapidly 
grew upon his hands, and before long he left his 
farm to sow and reap in other fields, at once more 
congenial and lucrative. 

In accordance with the decision referred to in 
the above paragraph, Mr. Nance removed to Osce- 
ola, the county seat of Polk County, where before 
very long he was fully established in legal practice. 
In 187.':! his friends submitted his name to the 
Republican Convention of the Thirteenth Dis- 
trict for Representative in the State Legislature. 
The counties of Adams, Butler. Clay, Fillmore, 
Hamilton, Platte, Polk and York sent their dele- 
gates, and these gentlemen thus representing the 
interests of a large body of citizens in those coun- 
ties, comprised the convention to which his name 
was presented. There were seven candidates in 



all, and each candidate had his circle of friends; 
these were diligent in season and out of season to 
advance the interests of the several candidates. 
Naturally a long and exciting contest was speedily 
commenced, and watched with deep interest by all. 
In order that the reader may appreciate the posi- 
tion occupied by the young lawyer in the estima- 
tion of the people, and the impress his character 
and ability had already made, we would notice 
that after several ballots had been taken the an- 
nouncement was made that Albinus Nance had 
received the nomination, and thus began his po- 
litical career with a clear sun and a fair sky. 

The principal opponent of our subject in the 
convention, urged b}- his friends, and spurred on by 
his own, doubtless, laudable ambition, determined to 
enter the field as an independent candidate, and 
the most strenuous efforts were made to defeat the 
regular candidate of the convention, but without 
success. The election showed a majority of about 
2,000 in favor of the subject of this writing. 

In 187G Mr. Nance was one of the six delegates 
chosen by the Republican State Convention to 
represent this State at the National Convention at 
Cincinnati, and was by his fellows elected Chair- 
man of the delegation. During that year he was 
renominated for the Legislature, indeed, almost 
without opposition, and at the opening session of 
the Legislative body he was elected Speaker of the 
House. If he had made a reputation and record as 
a member, he more than established it, and added 
fresh luster in his more advanced position, thus 
necessarily bringing himself before the people, who 
at once recognized in him one worthy of additional 
honors. In 1878 the Republican State Convention 
nominated him for Governor, and he was elected 
by a large majority. In 1880 he was renominated 
by acclamation and with wild enthusiasm, and re- 
elected b}' a majority greatly in excess of any other 
candidate on the State ticket. 

One of the happiest steps ever taken by Gov. 
Nance was that of his union in matrimony in 1875, 
when he became the husband of Miss Sarah White, 
daughter of Egbert and Mary "White, of Farragut, 
Iowa, who presented her husband with a bright and 
beautiful little daughter, who bears the name of 
Nellie. 



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James W. Dawes, wk- 



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31 




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*tf;'^^^f.^A'MKS W. DAWES. This gentle- 
8S./v?,"g; ni an was elected Governor in the 
3'ear 1883, anil such was his of- 
ficial deportment that he was 
renominated with enthusiasm, 
and re-elected by an apprecia- 
tive people. He continued to 
occupy his high position in the 
service of the State until the 
year 1887, and during the time 
gave every evidence that the 
confidence of those who had 
elected him in his honor, man- 
hood and ability, was indeed 
well founded, lie was the fifth 
Governor of the State. Gov. 
Dawes was born at McConnelsville, Morgan Co., 
Ohio, on the 8th of January, 1845. He went with 
his parents when they removed to Wisconsin in 
1856. The rudiments and foundation work of his 
education were received in Ohio, bul in the Wiscon- 
sin schools the major part of the work was done, ami 
from them our subject was graduated with a good 
practical English education, such as would serve in 
the daily affairs of life. As he advanced inyearsand 
was capable of doing more service upon the farm, 
he attended school only in the winters, devoting 
the summers to husbandry. In October, I 804, he 
was engaged in clerking for G. .T. Hansen & Co.. 
who were engaged as general merchants at Kilbourn 

«• ■ 



City. Wis., where he continued until October, 1868, 
and in these four years gained invaluable experience 
of men and business, adding materially to his store 
of information, and, unknown to himself, but none 
the less really, preparing for days of larger oppor- 
tunity and more important engagements, 

The next employment taken up by our subject 
was that of the study of law, which he began and 
carried on with his cousin, Julius H. Dawes. Esq., 
of Eox Lake, Wis., a prominent and successful 
lawyer. Here our subject devoted every atten- 
tion, and became a careful, persevering and diligent 
student, so much so that his examination, which de- 
termined his admission to the liar, was unusually 
brilliant, and he was accordingly admitted with 
congratulations upon the 10th of January, 1871, 
and began the practice of his chosen profession, 
which, from its being eminently congenial and pe- 
culiarly well adapted to one of Ins ability and 
mental east, was that in which success in life was 
more completely assured him. 

Not long after the admission of our subject to 

the bar another, and if anything re important. 

event occurred. It was that of his marriage. In- 
stances are far too common where an error of judg- 
ment or a misplaced confidence at such time has 
been fraught with disastrous results to both con- 
tracting parties; results all the mure serious becau.-e 
of the nature and faults of the contract, It was the 



^1 



T 



128 



JAMES W. DAWKS. 



> i no 

•it* 



happiness of Mr. Dawes and the lady of his choice 
to be mutually compatible in disposition, tastes, 
desires, and in fact all the varied points where dif- 
ference of sentiment would in all probability lead, 
sooner or later, to a breach of confidence or worse. 
This union, therefore, has brought a more complete 
happiness, a more perfect felicity, into both lives, and 
has made the home all that could be desired. This 
interesting event occurred at Fox Lake, and was 
celebrated on the 1 Hh of May, 1871. 

Our subject located in Crete, of this State, on 
the 5th of September, 1871, with the intention of 
engaging for a time in mercantile pursuits. For 
some years he continued in this line of business 
with an ever-growing success and enlarging patron- 
age. In March of 1877 he transferred his energies 
from commercial pursuits to the legal profession, 
opening a law office at Crete, and lias since been 
one of the leading lights of the Nebraska bar. He 
became a member of the Nebraska Constitutional 
Convention of 1875, and the following year was 
elected State Senator. During his term of office 
he won from all golden opinions of his ability and 
power, and his sojourn in Senatorial halls was, if 
anything, more pleasant than usual, owing to his 
genial, affable and courteous manner, which won 
and retained many much valued friendships, and 
which was the means of affording him larger oppor- 
tunities than might have otherwise been possible. 
His record in this connection is upon the books of 
the session, and is well known, and does not there- 
fore call for detailed mention in such a writing as 
the present; suffice it here to remark that it was such 
as to ultimately lead to his election to the highest 
official chair in the State.. 

From May, 1870, to September, 1882, inclusive, 
the subject of this sketch continued to hold the po- 
sition as Chairman of the Republican State Central 
Committee of Nebraska. The long continuance and 
the number of consecutive terms embraced within 
the above dates speak more clearly and emphatically 
his ability and power than anything that might be 
said in addition. Mr. Dawes was further honored 
by being elected delegate to the Republican Na- 
tional Convention at Chicago, in June of 1880. 
This it will be remembered was the convention that 
nominated the noble, but ill-fated, James A. Gar- 



field. The delegation of which he was a member 
at this time unanimously named him as a member 
of the National Republican Committee for Nebraska 
for a term of four years, which it was his privilege 
to serve with every satisfaction to all parties con- 
cerned for that period. 

Few men ever felt more the need of education 
for a people who governed themselves than Gov. 
Dawes. The absolute necessity of universal educa- 
tion, wide in scope, complete in curriculum, ex- 
haustive in detail, practical in its aim and general 
utility, was evident to him, and he was therefore 
deeply interested in educational matters, and his 
sympathies were always assured for matters con- 
nected therewith. He has served in several offices 
connected with this department, the most important, 
perhaps, being those of Trustee and Secretary of the 
Doane College, which is situated at Crete. The 
duties of these offices have engaged his attention 
since the year 1875. 

The crowning glory of the official life and public 
service of the subject of our sketch was that which 
identified him with the chief office of the State. In 
the year 1882 he was nominated by the Republican 
party for Governor. His life was well known, li is 
character thoroughly understood, his past services 
remembered and appreciated, and accordingly he 
was received with much favor, and elected amid the 
plaudits of the whole people. He entered upon the 
duties of his high office in January, 1883, continu- 
ing to discharge the same throughout the usual pe- 
riod of two years. At the expiration thereof he 
was again nominated by his party and re-elected 
by the people, and for a second term continued to 
discharge his duties as before. Is any further 
proof of his ability, honor, manhood and faithful- 
ness demanded? Can any mere verbose compli- 
mentary eulogium express as much as this, especially 
when it is reinforced by all the accompanying marks 
of confidence and regard of the people ? Gov. Dawes 
will long be remembered, having won a warm place 
in the hearts and memories of the people, together 
with his most excellent administration of affairs, 
which from first to last materially assisted the onward 
march and development of Nebraska as a State, and 
aided in placing her among the very first of all States 
of the greatest Republic the world has ever known. 




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I JOHN M. THAYER. ■'■; 






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4 



JOHN M. THAYER. 
This distinguished gentle- 
man, whom Nebraska de- 
jhted to honor by the 
gift of the highest office 
in its power to bestow, was 
wJXf elected thereto by an overwhelming 
^Tyav^ majority in the autumn of II 



jKs^ majority in the autumn of 1886, and 
^r^irfrE^? '' v n ' s w ' se administration of affairs, 
his excellent executive ability, has 
since fully justified this enthusiastic 
choice. The place of the nativity of 
our subject is Bellingham, Norfolk 
Co., Mass. ;heis theson of Elias and 
Ruth (Staples) Thayer. The chosen 
occupation of the father was farming, and in the 
physical and moral healthful environment of pasto- 
ral life our subject was brought up. 

The smallest part of man is the physical, that can 
be weighed avoirdupois and measured with a tape 
line; a far greater and nobler is that of stamp di- 
vine — the mind, which is the true "standard of the 
man.'' Having in mind the importance of proper 
instruction, in order to the proper use of this most 
wonderful instrument, our subject, after the usual 
preparatory instruction, attended the classes at 
Brown University, from which institution he was 
graduated in 1 847. The law was the chosen profession 
of our subject, and at It he worked assiduously un- 
til the year 1854, still continuing a resident of his 
native State, and at that time he removed to the 
State of Nebraska. 

<*• ■ 



Omaha, then a rising young town, with a newly 
opened and undeveloped terrritory all around it, 
afforded a good field for a young man of education, 
enterprise, enthusiasm and energy, to " rise up with 
the country." In the year 1855 the political arena 
was entered. Mr. Thayer became one of four can- 
didates for Congressional honors; a splendid run for 
the office, however, resulted only in defeat, the suc- 
cessful candidate being Fenner Ferguson. The fol- 
lowing year was remarkable as that in which the 
now "grand old party" was organized. The con- 
vention was held at Bellevue, and our subject was 
a candidate for the party nomination, but was de- 
feated by Mr. Daily. This experience was repented 
in every particular in June of 1860. He was suc- 
cessful in receiving the nomination to the Territorial 
Legislature, and served the session of 1860—61. 

Our subject entered the service of the United 
States at the beginning of the Civil War, and re- 
ceived the commission of Colonel of the 1st Ne- 
braska Infantry. In the year 1855 he had been 
elected by the Territorial Legislature Brigadier 
Genera] of the Territorial Militia, and afterward 
promoted to that of Major General <>( the militia. 
While in these positions he was frequently led into 
engagements more or less serious on the frontier, 
the enemies being the aborigines of that section, 
who at that time had not entirely ceased their old 
habits of depredation. The intimate knowledge of 
our subject c cerning the Indians, their surround- 
ings, their attitude, their feelings, and their chiefs, 
were all of immense value to him. As a case in 



*r 



132 



JOHN M. THAYER. 



point, which we might mention, our subject was ap- 
pointed by Gov. Izard to act in conjunction with 
Gov. O. D. Richardson, to inquire into certain out- 
rages by Pawnees, to meet them in council and ef- 
fect a treaty with them ; in this they were fairly 
successful. But later events proved the lesson was 
but poorly learned by the Indians. In 1858, with 
a command of 194 volunteers, our subject went out 
after the same tribe, certain of their number having 
murdered, maltreated and robbed the settlers. He 
captured the entire tribe after a stubbornly con- 
tested battle, which was fought on the grounds oc- 
cupied by the town of Battle Creek, which derives 
its name from that event. 

As Colonel of the 1st Nebraska Infantry, our 
subject did good work in behalf of the Union, and 
it was not long before his superior military powers 
attracted attention, and he was promoted to be 
Brigadier General and breveted Major General. At 
Ft. Donelson and Sliiloh he commanded a brigade 
in such excellent manner as led to the above honor. 
Through the siege of Vicksburg and the capture of 
Jackson, Miss., he also commanded a brigade, and 
for a time a division. The confidence of the com- 
manders in him was such that at the assault at 
Chickasaw Bayou, one of the storming columns was 
confided to his care. In this tight he had his horse 
shot under him, and again while leading a charge at 
Arkansas Post. All the essential features, charac- 
teristics and traits of the successful soldier were 
possessed by him, and this being recognized resulted 
in the Army of the Frontier being given him to 
command. Throughout his service in military life 
he was a true soldier, a favorite with his men, who 
were confident that he would lead them to success 
ami victory ; respected by his officers, who well 
knew his sagacity and military genius, largely the 
result of his long experience on the frontier. 

In political matters our subject was a Democrat 
until the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. He 
sympathized with the Free-Soil movement, but be- 
ing in the Territory he could not vote. In the year 
1856 he supported Fremont, and since that time has 
continued a stanch Republican. Upon the admis- 
sion of Nebraska as a State, Mr. Thayer was elected 
United States Senator in the election of 1866, and 
served faithfully until the close of his term. At the 

-*• — 



expiration thereof he was appointed by Gen. Grant 
the Governor of Wyoming Territory. In this office 
the qualities that had made him successful in civil 
life, that had made him a military leader and com- 
mander, the ability that had been developed for the 
handling of large bodies of men, the harmonizing 
(if heterogeneous elements, combined to make his 
Governorship one worthy of note, and, doubtless, 
was the cause of the confidence expressed by the peo- 
ple of Nebraska in after days. 

The home of our subject is one that bears in its 
every-day life and happiness a brightness and com- 
pleteness that is more to lie desired than the amass- 
ing of riches, the accumulation of power, or the 
right to sway the scepter of authority. He was 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mary 
T. Allen, a lady possessing a disposition, character 
and intelligence, most beautiful, admirable and clear, 
one who has been trained to follow closely the Great 
Exemplar of the true life. She is the daughter of 
the Rev. John Allen, a clergyman of the Baptist 
Church, a native of Massachusetts. 

Gov. Thayer, though not a member of any spe- 
cial denomination's a firm believer in the Christian 
religion, and always has been. His family adhere 
to the faith of the Baptist Church, of which also his 
parents were members. In that communion, also, 
he was trained and brought up, and he has al- 
ways retained a great desire to help forward every 
movement of religious nature ; whenever it has been 
possible to elevate the moral standard of the people, 
his active sympathies were engaged. One feature 
of his Governorship has been his evident anxiety 
that a more general and hearty acquiescence to a 
higher moral and religious standard should obtain, 
and whatever enterprises, projects, societies or asso- 
ciations, looked to this as their ami And Object, were 
at all times sure of his hearty sympathy and support. 

As noted above, our subject stood before the 
people of Nebraska in the year 1886 as candidate 
for Governor. He was warmly received, actively 
and heartily supported, and enthusiastically elected 
by a majority of 25,000, in which he ran about 2,000 
ahead of his ticket. His administration has revealed 
the wisdom <>f this choice, and it is not too much to 
say that the citizens of Nebraska have at no time 
had occasion to repent of their choice. 



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JOHNSON COUNTY, 



EBRASKA. 



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H INTRODUCTORY. 






T 



HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should he made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man l>y precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
people who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their prime entered 
•the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
maining who can relate the incidents of the first days 
jf settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten lias been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their best works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
The pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 
*•— 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements 
The erection of the great obelisks were for the same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea— 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those wdiose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity ; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which Ins chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
publish to the world the history of those whose lives 
are unworthy of public record. 

■► 




r^ 







.► i r ^- 



VI 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



153 



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^~ T - ^^y^^* >^^. ^^ - -.^\ V ^ _, ^ 




"*4s> 




e ''rWvV cnm8en - He is :it present Sta 

t?^?-*\fj Senator, and has also served in tl 
{ \ ■ '.&l c £? Lower House of the Legislature 




CHAS. A. IIOLMKS. 
"bis gentleman is proba- 
bly one of the most promi- 
ent and at the same time 
rnly honorable and es- 
teemed citizens of Te- 
te 
le 
He 
has also made his way to the front 
in the world of finance, being Vice 
President of the Tecumseh Savings 
Bank, which is a popular and solid 
institution, and is likewise one of 
the firm of Russell & Holmes, bank- 
ers, who, in 1871, established the first bank in John- 
son County, under the above firm name. It is the 
oldest bank in the Nemaha Valley, but one of the 
most solid. The first brick building in Tecumseh 
was erected by this firm, in 1872, on the corner of 
Third and Clay streets, for the use of the bank, and 
was so occupied. The bank has a paid-up capital 
of $25,000, and a surplus of $5,000. 

The home of our subject is one of the most ele- 
gant residences in the district, and is situated upon 
the summit of an eminence to the south of the city, 
and stands in its own grounds, comprising perhaps 
over twenty acres, devoted to the usual gardens, 
shaded walks and lawns, and is a very line property. 
In addition to his residence and the bank building 
4» 



Mr. Holmes owns many pieces of valuable real es- 
tate 1 in the city and surrounding country. 

Charles A. Holmes was born in Lockport, Will 
Co., 111., on the 6th of June, 1840. When three 
.years of age his parents removed to Jefferson, Wis. 
There he was reared and educated in part, the in- 
struction he there received being supplemented by 
that obtained subsequently at Carroll College, 
Waukesha, Wis., and Lombard University, at 
Galesburg, III., from which institution he was 
graduated in June, 1802, with the degree of B. A. 

On the 11th of August, 18G2, our subject en- 
listed in the 29th Wisconsin Infantry. On the 5th 
of September he was commissioned Captain of his 
company, and was attached to the Western De- 
partment, lie served throughout the Vicksburg 
campaign, and also on the Red River, with Gen. 
Banks, in the spring of 1804. He was at the cap- 
ture of Mobile, at which his regiment and the 8th 
Illinois were the first to enter the city. He took 
part also in an endless round of skirmishes and les- 
ser conflicts. At the battle of Champion Hills, on 
the 16th of May, our subject was wounded so se- 
verely as to detain him from active service until 
the middle of September following. At the close 
of the war he was mustered out at Shrcveport, the 
date being the 27th of June, I860, receiving his 
final discharge at Madison, Wis., on the 17th of 
July following. 

Upon leaving the army Mr. Holmes returned to 

»*H 



'A 



.► 11 ^ 



-+ 



154 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4- 






Jefferson, Wis., and continued the study of law, 
which he had been reading with his father previous 
to his enlistment. He wns admitted to the bar of 
Wisconsin in 18GG, continuing in practice there 
until August, 1871, when he came to Tecumseh, 
and shortly after formed the present partnership. 
Those interested in reading further concerning 
the history of the firm will find additional particu- 
lars in the sketch of the life of J. D. Russell, to 
be found upon another page of this volume. 

Mr. Holmes was appointed by President Grant 
Postmaster at Jefferson, W T is. He received his ap- 
pointment in 1869, and continued to hold the posi- 
tion until he left Wisconsin. In 1*74 Mr. Holmes 
was elected to the Legislature on the Republican 
ticket, and took his seat on the 1st of January, 
1 875. By the Legislature our subject was elected 
one of the Regents of the State University at Lin- 
coln. This position he continued to fill until the 
new Constitution went into force, when he was 
again elected, this time by the people, for a full 
term, serving in all a period of nine years in that 
capacity. In 1886 the people again expressed their 
sentiments of confidence and esteem by electing 
him to the State Senate. During his term of serv- 
ice he was made Chairman of the University 
Committee, the Committee on Common Schools, 
that on Education, and was second on the Commit- 
tee of Finance. His term expired on the 1st of 
January, 1889. 

Mr. Holmes has always been a very energetic, en- 
terprising, busy man, and yet withal has such ca- 
pacity for work as never to appear to feel the 
burden of the various responsibilities and duties 
devolving upon him. He is prominent in the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, and has received all the degrees of 
the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. He is 
also an enthusiast in the G. A. R., and very popular 
therein. In both the above orders he has held 
various offices, always with the greatest satisfaction 
to his fellow-members. 

On the 29th of August, 1866, our subject and 
Miss Jennie T. Hurd plighted their troth, since 
which time the two life .streams there united have 
[lowed as one. This event was celebrated at Jer- 
sey ville, Jersey Co., 111. There have come to them 
light children, the following of whom are still liv- 



ing: Althea M., Mary B., Kate E. and Ruth L. 
The deceased members of the family, with the ex- 
ception of Carl W., who died on the 20th of Au- 
gust, 1888, at the age of three years, all died in in- 
fancy. The surviving members of the family, 
excepting Althea M., now Mrs. G. D. Bennett, are 
at home and are receiving the best education it 
is within the power of their parents to give. 

Mrs. Holmes was born in Jerseyville, on the 26tli 
of February, 1842, and is the daughter of Jay M. 
Hurd. Her home until her marriage was made with 
her parents. She is a lady fitted by education, by her 
home training, and the many graces and womanly 
virtues that are hers by the gift of nature and 
heredity, to fill any position in society to which she 
might be called. She was educated at Galesburg, 
111., and passed the years prior to her marriage en- 
gaged in teaching. She is prominent as a worker 
in the W. C. T. U., and takes the greatest interest 
in all works of charity and beneficence. With her 
husband, she is a member of the Universalist 
Church, and in that communion they are held in the 
highest possible regard. She is now serving her 
third term as President of the W. C. T. U., of Ne- 
braska. 

John E. Holmes, the father of our subject, was 
born in Hartford, Conn., in the year 1809. When 
a young man he went to Western New York, being 
alone in the world, and compelled to fight his own 
way, both parents having been removed from his 
side "by the arch- Destroyer Death. He found 
means to educate himself at Hamilton Academy, in 
the State of New York, after which he studied for 
the ministry of the Universalist Church. He sup- 
plied various pulpits in the States of Michigan, 
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. After his marriage he 
began the study of law, and upon being admitted to 
the bar practiced at Loekport, 111., removing 
thence after a short period to Jefferson, Wis., in 

is t:;. 

Mr. Holmes was married, Aug. 30, 1836, to 
Ruth A. Hawley, of Milan, Erie Co., Ohio. Four 
sons were born of this union, all of whom are liv- 
ing. This lady is the daughter of Warren Haw- 
ley. and was born on the 8th of October, 1816. She 
still lives, making her home with our subject, and 
has reached the ripe age of seventy -two years. 



r 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



155 



Upon the roll of the Constitutional Convention 
of Wisconsin, of 1847, will lie found the name of 
John E. Holmes. After that service lie was elected 
by the people to both Houses of the Legislature in 
that State, and served most satisfactorily. In 1848 
he received the nomination, and was elected by a 
large majority, Lieutenant-Governor of Wisconsin, 
and was in fact all his life a prominent and re- 
spected citizen. 

Mr. J. E. Holmes entered the Union Army in 
June, 1802, and served as Quartermaster of the 
22d Wisconsin Infantry. He was captured with his 
regiment at Brentwood, Tenn, by Gen. Forrest, 
anil thrown into Libby Prison. There he had to en- 
dure a severe attack of typhoid fever, unrelieved 
by any of those attentions needed under such cir- 
cumstances. He was liberated and exchanged on 
May 5, and died in the hospital at Annapolis, 
Md., on the 18th day of May, 1863. 

The portrait of Hon. Charles A. Holmes, on an 
adjoining page, is that of one of the best known 
and most highly esteemed citizens of Johnson 
County. 




JLL 



RTHUK C. SULLIVAN, senior member of 
the firm of Sullivan it Davis, general mer- 
chants at Tecumseh, is a gentleman of line 
@/J culture and more than ordinary ability. 

Socially and financially he is a citizen upon whom 
the community look with great respect, both on 
account of his personal worth and his value as a 
factor among its business interests, lie is the off- 
spring of a good family, being the son of Aaron 
Sullivan, who was horn in Winchester, Ya., in 
180(1. 

Aaron Sullivan received a good education, and 
in early manhood engaged in general merchandising 
at Madison, Ind. Later he moved across the Mis- 
sissippi into Clark County. Mo., of which he was a 
resident a number of years, and finally became 
County Clerk. lie disposed of his stock in trade 
when entering upon the duties of this office, which 
he held a number of years previous to his death, 
which occurred at his home in August, 1864. Ilis 
wife, Mrs. Sarah J. (Thorp) Sullivan, was :i native 
of Kentucky, and they were married about 18 If!. 



Of this union there were born seven children, three 
only of whom lived to mature years. Mrs. Sarah 
J. Sullivan is still living and makes her home with 
our subject in Tecumseh. Aaron Sullivan was a 
man prominent in his community, officiated as 
Postmaster and Justice of the Peace, and was finally 
elected County Judge, which otlice lie held several 
terms. The mother is a member in good standing 
of the Baptist Church. 

The subject of this sketch was born April 20, 
1850, in Winchester, Clark Co., Mo., where he 
lived until lie attained to the age of fifteen years, 
and then moved to Warsaw, 111.; lived there one 
year, then moved to Keokuk, Iowa, thence to Alex- 
andria, Mo. lie was carefully educated, complet- 
ing his studies in a private school. He entered 
upon his business career as clerk in a store, where 
he continued five years. At the expiration of this 
time he embarked in business for himself in gen- 
eral merchandising, at Alexandria, Mo., where he 
operated successfully for a period of five years. 
Upon his withdrawal from this he made his way 
to Nebraska, and purchased the stock of a dry- 
goods firm at Tecumseh, and associating himself 
with a partner they carried on business five years, 
under the firm name of Calahan & Sullivan. 

Mr. Sullivan now purchased the interest of his 
partner, and in February, 1888, took in Mr. 11. C. 
Davis, and this firm is now recognized as standing 
upon asolid footing financially, and is in the enjoy- 
ment of a steadily growing patronage. Mr. Sulli- 
van is also interested in real estate at Alexandria, 
Mo. While a resident of that city he was a mem- 
ber of the Council ami identified with the School 
Board, lie takes a warm interest in educational 
matters, and all the enterprises tending to build up 
the community, morally and financially. At the 
age of twenty-one years, while a resident of Alex- 
andria, he identified himself with the Masonic fra- 
ternity, of which he is still an honored member, 
belonging to the lodge at Tecumseh. 

The marriage of Arthur C. Sullivan and Miss 
S. K. Gregg, Of Alexandria. Mo., was celebrated at 
the home of the bride in that city, Oct. 8, 1872. 
Mrs. Sullivan was born in Brownville, Fa.. I'd'. .'.. 
1849, and is the daughter of John and Hannah 
(Lanning) Gregg, who were natives of Fennsyl- 



•svl- \ \ 



1-56 






JOHNSON COUNTY. 



n 



vania. Mr. ( tregg was a miller by occupation, and 
proprietor of the Valley Mill, at Brownville, Pa. 
He died at his home in Brownville, about 1850. 
Mrs. Sullivan when a young girl of fourteen years, 

accompanied her mother to .Missouri, ami lived at 
Alexandria until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Sullivan there have been horn live children, of 
whom only three are living, namely: Herbert R.. 
Garnet and Mabel L., who are at home with their 
parents, receiving careful parental training and line 
educational advantages. 




•f 



NOREW COOK, a retired merchant and 
prominent resident of Tecumseh, first set 
foot upon the soil of Nebraska in May of 
1 85*, locating in Otoe County, where he had 
become possessor of a tract of land. He began life 
on the other side of the Atlantic, in Tarn worth, 
Warwickshire, England, Nov. 9, 1 822, and received 
a good education in the schools of his native county. 
Upon leaving school he was employed at mer- 
chandising, and before reaching his twentieth year 
was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Clulow, 
Aug. 16, 1842. He still preserves the certificate 
of his marriage, which was issued forty-six years 
ago. 

Our subject with his young wife crossed the At- 
lantic in the summer of 1845, and they making 
their way directly westward located in Racine 
County, Wis., during the territorial days. There 
Mr. Cook engaged in farming, and resided for a 
period of thirteen years. In 1858 he sold out and 
purchased land in Otoe County, this State, where 
he resided with his family until the spring of 18G4, 
during which time Nebraska City slowly developed 
from a hamlet into a good-sized town. 

The next removal of Mr. Cook found him on 
the land which he now owns in Helena Precinct, 
this county. He has been prosperous in his labors 
as a tiller of the soil, and invested his spare capital 
in the erection of buildings and effecting the other 
improvements which were necessary for his comfort 
and convenience. In 1866 he put up a $2,000 
house, which was for a number of years the best 



dwelling in Johnson County. The lumber for this 
was transported from Nebraska City by teams, and 
cost $100 per 1,000 feet, dressed. In its rough 
state the price was $60. Shingles were $10 per 
1,000, and other building material in proportion. 

It is hardly necessary to state that during the 
first years of his residence here Mr. Cook was in- 
dustriously employed in the labors incident to per- 
fecting his homestead. Notwithstanding this he 
found time to interest himself in the welfare of the 
people around him, and in the fall of 1866 was 
elected County Commissioner, the duties of which 
he thereafter discharged for two terms of three years 
each. Johnson County at this time was compara- 
tively thinly settled, there being fewer people here 
in I860 than in 1858, some having become dis- 
couraged and moved away, and some having gone 
to the war. After the conflict had ended the popu- 
lation increased by the return of soldiers, many of 
whom made permanent settlement. 

In the latter part of 1872 Mr. Cook embarked in 
general merchandising, although principally hand- 
ling farm implements and road vehicles. Of these 
he carried a large stock, and did the most exten- 
sive business in the county for many years. He 
was thus occupied until the spring of 1886, when, 
having secured a competence he retired from active 
business, turning over his large landed interests to 
his sons. He has always taken a lively interest in 
politics, and was quite prominent in the Republican 
party in this county for a number of years. He has 
served as Mayor of Tecumseh, and occupied other 
positions of trust and responsibility in Helena Pre- 
cinct. A Free Soiler in early manhood, upon the 
abandonment of the old party he cordially endorsed 
Republican principles, and to this has given his uni- 
form support for a period of thirty years. For 
forty years he has been connected with the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, laboring earnestly for its 
best interests, and usually holding some office in 
connection therewith. In the Sunday-school he has 
maintained a warm and active interest for a period 
of fifty years, officiating a long period as Superin- 
tendent, and when not holding this office working 
outside quietly, to the best of his ability. 

Mr. Cook during the summer of 1882, thirty- 
eight vears after leaving his native land, recrossed 



=fcj- 



■► W <t 



*^\V-*t* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



157 



•f 



the Atlantic and spent four months among the old 
friends who were yet living', and who welcomed him 
with open arms. During the summer of 1.HJSU he 
repeated this visit, and felt that the time and money 
involved were well spent. His early home was at 
Tain worth, the great center of Robert Peel's cotton 
factories, in which the father of our subject was 
collector of duties, and filled other responsible 
positions for many years. This office had been in 
the family for generations. 

William and Lucy Cook, the parents of our sub- 
ject, were of English birth and ancestry, the father 
born about 17'JO, and the mother in dune. 1790. 
William Cook was for a period of thirty-three years 
in the employ of the Government, during that time 
never losing a day's pay. His death took place ill 
1.S44, when he was fifty-four years of age. The 
mother survived her husband many years, attain- 
ing the ripe old age of eighty. The family of the 
subject of this sketch included seven children, all of 
whom are living: Elizabeth and William, born in 
England; and Charles C Edward, Andrew, dames 
and Lucy in America. Mrs. Cook, the wife of 
our subject, died in July, 1878. She was a most 
lovely Christian lady, one whose " kingdom was her 
home." She was a devoted member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, an active Christian, and her 
name is held in tender remembrance b}' her chil- 
dren and all who knew her. 

Miss Elizabeth Cook, the eldest daughter of our 
subject, became the wife of D. McCuaig, who is at 
present Postmaster of Nebraska City. They have 
eight children, namely: Duncan, Andrew, Hannah, 
Maggie, Birdie, Florence, Mary and Ruth. William 
Cook, a brother, married Miss Jane Wakeman, and 
is numbered among the successful fanners of the 
town of Cook, Helena Precinct, this county, lie ia 
the father of four children, namely: Frank, Mamie. 
Anna and Alice. Charles C. married Miss Emma 
Cady, and is the father of three children: Walter. 
Harry and Myrtle, and lives near Tecumseh. 
Edward is a resident of Spring Creek, and is the 
father of five children: Minnie, Nellie, Jessie, Ethel 
and Georgia. Andrew married Miss Sarah Wake- 
man, and they are the parents of three children. 
James married Miss Rilla Taliaferro, and they have 
three children: Nellie, Lou and Belle. Lucy is the 



wife of S. II. Fullerton, a well-to-do business man 
of Atchison, Kan., and the mother of two children. 
Robert and Ruby. It will thus be seen that Mr. 
Cook is the possessor of twenty-seven grandchil- 
dren. 



A MLLIAM R. CORE. Clerk of the District 

\/\j/l ^ ourt of Johnson County, and a promi- 

W^fl cent resident of Teeuinseh. represents a 

line property in this locality, having a valuable 

and attractive home at the southeast corner of 
Fourth and Sheridan streets, besides a cpiartei-scc- 
tion of land in Lincoln l'reeinct. This latter he 

secured when it was an unimproved tract, and has 
reduced it to a good slate of cultivation, placing 
thereon the necessary buildings and live stock, lie 
is a gentleman standing well among his fellow-citi- 
zens, and c me considered worthy of the responsi- 
bilities which have been placed upon him. 

Our subject is the offspring of a good Maryland 
family, his father. Edwin Gore, having been born 
in Queen Anne County, that State, in 1816. The 
latter acquired his education in the common schools, 
and there remained in his native place until twen- 
ty-one years of age. Then, turning his face west- 
ward, he took up his residence in Mason County. 
111., and soon then-after entered 130 acres of land 
from the Government. To this section of country 
he had come alone and empty-handed, an orphan 
and withoul infiuentia] friends, his parents having 
died when he was but a lad. Providence, however, 
had given him those attributes which insured his 
success and made him many friends. lie was pros- 
pered ill his endeavor to open up a farm from the 
wilderness, and in time added to his lirst purchase 
until he became one "I the prominent land-holders 
of the county, opening up a fine and extensive farm, 

where lie carried on agriculture and became the 
mi ner of a tine proper! \ . 

The father of our subject was married in ( '• reene 
County. 111., about L 844, to Miss Jane Thompson, 
ami they became the parents of nine children, of 
whom William R.. our subject, was the third in 
order of birth. .M is. Jane ( lore was horn in ( ounty 
Antrim. Ireland, Jtih .">. 1820, and emigrated to 
America with her parents when a little child three 



r* 



J* 



158 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



i*^H* 



years of age. Becoming homesick they returned 
to their native land, and in five years thereafter re- 
crossed the Atlantic once more, and this time set- 
tled in Greene County, III. Here Mrs. Gore Lived 
until her marriage. Her father. Alexander Thomp- 
son, was a fanner by occupation, and his wife in 
her girlhood was Miss Margaretta Stewart. They 
continued to make their home in Greene County, 
111., where the mother died when about sixty-five 
years of age. The father survived his wife many 
years, his death taking place in L875, after he had 
reached the advanced ageof ninety-five years. Ed- 
win Gore died in 1860. I lis wife is still living on 
the old homestead with one of her sons, John W.. 
the fifth child. The parents were prominently con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to 
which they contributed liberally of their means and 
their labors, and always took a lively interest in 
the prosperity of the Master's cause. 

William Gore, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, and in honor of whom the latter was named, 
was a resident of Maryland for some time previous 
to his decease. He carried ou farming near Queen 
Anne, and died when our subject was too young to 
recollect anything of his history, lie was the father 
of two children only. 

The subject of this biography, William R. Gore, 
was born on Field's Prairie, near Havana, Mason 
Co., Ill, April it, 184*. He lived there with his 
father until the death of the latter, in 1K77. and 
until a man twenty-nine years of age. He had re- 
ceived a practical education, and made farming the 
business of his life. Upon coming to this county, 
in the spring of 1877, he purchased 160 acres of 
land in Lincoln Precinct, improved it, set out an 
orchard of 200 trees, and a grove of forest trees 
around the dwelling. He erected a substantial farm 
house, and later all the out-buildings necessary for 
the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. He 
availed himself of the improved machinery of the 
day to cultivate the soil, and before many years 
found himself in the enjoyment of a tine income'. 
lie has now one of the most beautiful homes in this 
part of Johnson County. 

Mr. (nire was elected to the office which beholds 
in the fall of L883, and in the spring following as- 
sumed the duties thereof, which he has discharged 



with great credit. lie was re-elected in 1N87 by a 
greatly increased majority, and is now serving his 
second term. His family consists of a most esti- 
mable wife and three bright children, two sons and 
a daughter — Grace, Roscoe and Harry. Mrs. Mar- 
tha J. (Hardin) Gore became the wife of our sub- 
ject Jan. 28, 1K77, in Mason County. 111. She was 
born there Feb. 1(1. 1852, and is the daughter of 
James M. and Martha (Micklam) Hardin, the for- 
mer a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. 
Mr. Hardin left his native State when a young man 
twenty years old, emigrating in company with Ed- 
win Gore to Mason County, 111., and settling on a 
tract of land adjoining that of Mr. G. There he 
opened up a good farm, where he still lives with 
his estimable wife. He was born about 1817, and 
his wife eight years later, in 1825. Both of them 
became prominently identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. The twelve children born to 
them all lived to mature years. 

Mr. Gore meddles very little with political affairs, 
but usually supports the principles of the Republi- 
can party. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., 
being a member of the lodge at Tecumseh. In so- 
cial and business circles he is a man highly spoken 
of, and contributes his full quota in sustaining the 
moral and financial welfare of his community. 



'/fteh IIAMBERLAIN BROS., Clarence K. and 
f((^ 1 Charles M., attorneys and counselors-at- 
^^ law, are also proprietors of the Chamber- 
lain banking house, which is numbered among the 
solid institutions of Tecumseh. The elder brother 
came to this place in May, 1885, opened a law of- 
fice and was joined by the younger in April, 1886. 
They are talented as lawyers, capable as business 
men. and have fully established themselves in the 
esteem and confidence of their fellow-citizens. 

The father of these gentlemen, Lorenzo H. Cham- 
berlain, was born Jan. 10, 181'.), in Seneca Falls, 
N. Y. The family is an old and honored one, and 
the present representatives are descendants in the 
ninth generation of the family of the same name 
who came to America during Colonial days and 
settled in Roxbury, Mass., some time during the 



"7* 



f 



"1i 






JOHNSON COUNTY. 



159 



*t 



year 1647. We find them mentioned subsequently 
ns among the founders of Dudley and Oxford, 
Mass., and Woodstock, Conn., about the year 17:54. 
During the progress of the Revolutionary War 
('apt. Jacob Chamberlain, the great-grandfather of 
the subjects of this sketch, served, as shown by the 
Dudley town records, on the Committee of Defense. 
IK- also did efficient service during Shay's Rebel- 
lion, and died from the results of exposure therein, 
.bin. 27, 1791. 

About the year 1 800 representatives of the Cham- 
berlain family, now a large one, removed in large 
numbers, indeed almost the entire representatives 
of the name, to Cortland and Seneca Counties, 
N. Y. Col. Jacob, the grandfather of Clarence and 
Charles, was then a young man twenty-four years 
of age, and settled in the vicinity of Seneca Falls, 
where he subsequently became the owner of large 
tracts of land, lie came honestly by the title of 
Colonel, which he earned as a valiant soldier in the 
State Militia during the War of 1812. 

Chamberlain Brothers on the maternal side are 
descended from French Huguenots, who, upon 
being driven from their native soil, took up their 
residence in Orange and Columbia Counties, N. Y. 
Their mother, Mrs. Elizabeth K. Chamberlain, was 
a native of Columbia County, N. Y., and the par- 
ents are now living. 

Clarence K. Chamberlain was born Jan. 4, 1857, 
at Seneca Falls, N. Y., and was given a fine educa- 
tion, being first graduated from Hamilton College, 
with the degree of B. A., in the class of 1881, and 
subsequently pursued his law studies at Boston 
University. He was admitted to practice in the 
Supreme Court of New York State, and for a short 
time followed his profession in Waterloo, in that 
State. He removed thence, in 1885, to Nebraska. 
He was married, Sept. (i, 18*2, to Miss Maria C. 
Bachelder, of Maiden, Mass. The}- are the parents 
of two children, a daughter, Mildred, born April 
12. 1880, and a son. Jacob Arthur, born Nov. 19, 
1888. Mrs. Maria C. Chamberlain is the daughter 
of Isaac M. Bachelder and was born in Boston, 
Mass. Her father is a direct descendant of Rev. 
Stephen Bachelder, the first minister of Salem, 
Mass., who came from England to this country in 
1032 fc Among his descendants are found many in- 

4> 



dividuals of national fame, including Daniel Web- 
ster, John <:. Whittier and Caleb Cushing. Isaac 
M. was a member of the (inn of Palmer, Bachelder 
A: Co., one of the oldest jewelry houses in lloston. 
Clarence K. and his estimable lady are members of 
the Episcopal Church of Tecumseh. Mr. C. is 
Commander of Division No. (!, First Regiment, 
Uniform Bank K. of 1'.. and a member of Greek 
Letter Society, "l'si I'psilon." 

Charles M. Chamberlain was also born in Seneca 
Falls. N. Y.. Dee. 12. 1802, and with his brother 
has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court 
of his native State. C. K, is a Republican, while 
C. M. is a Demqprat, although carefully abstaining 
from the responsibilities of office, preferring to 
give their undivided attention to their rapidly in- 
creasing law practice and their banking interests. 
The}' are the owners of considerable city property, 
and interested in Western lands. 



-?s- 



7-7ir 



-*k~ 



,41 ffelLBURN MORTON, who is well known 
\rJII throughout Spring (reek Precinct and vi- 
y»y\5 cinity. is the proprietor Of 299 acres of 
fertile land, 139 of which constitutes the home- 
stead. He came to Nebraska Territory with his 
family in the spring of 1865, and located first in 
Nebraska City. < (toe ( ountv. moved to McWilliams 
Precinct, same county, in the spring of 1866, and 
in 1870 to his present farm, which he secured as a 
homesteader, and which, it is hardly necessary to 

say, was in striking contrast to its present c tition. 

Twenty acres had been broken and some discour- 
aged settler had constructed a dug-out. and this 
constituted the only improvement. More than 
twenty years of persevering industry have left 
their mark upon the land, anil the dug-out was long 
since replaced by a set of substantial farm build- 
ings, which, with their surroundings, comprise one 
of the most comfortable homes in the northeast- 
ern part of tin' county. 

Mr. Morton commenced business for himself in 
Illinois ten years prior to coming here, with a horse 
worth about slid and a few imperfect farm imple- 
ments. He hail very little money, and ».is depend- 
ent entirely upon his own resources, not ha\ ing been 
^ 



f 



100 



-JOHNSON COUNTY. 




*t 



the heir to any inheritance except the qualities of 
honesty and industry which descended to him from 
his ancestors. He is a native of Hawkins County, 
Tenn.. and was born June I. 1830. His parents, 
William and Celia (George) Morton, were natives 
respectively of North Carolina and Tennessee, and 
his paternal grandfather, John Morton, did good 
service as a soldier in the War of 1812. The lat- 
ter had two brothers in the Revolutionary War. 

The parents of our subject were married in Ten- 
nessee, whence they migrated about 1830 to Pike 
County, 111., when their son Wilburn was hut an 
infant of six months. They settled among the pio- 
neers of that region, where the father battled suc- 
cessfully with the elements of the primitive soil 
and where both parents spent the remainder of theii 
days. The mother died in middle life, in the win- 
ter of 1853. The father survived Ins wife a period 
of thirty years, his death taking place in the year 
1883, in Tike County, 111. 

William Morton was a man prominent in his 
community, possessed of great perseverance and 
energy, and was no unimportant factor in the de- 
velopment of Tike County. He held the office of 
Constable a number of years, besides filling other 
positions of trust, and was ever ready to contribute 
to those projects having for their object the wel- 
fare of the people around him. The parental 
household included nine children, of whom the 
following survive, namely: Eliza, the widow of 
Mr. Lerv. of Pike County. 111.; Jackson, also liv- 
ing in thai county; Wllburn, our subject; Jeremiah, 
of Nemaha County, this State; and Sally, Mrs. 
John Cox, of Seward County. 

Our subjed was reared to manhood in the Prairie 
State, assisted in the development of the home- 
stead and secured a somewhat limited education in 
the pioneer schools. After the death of his mother 
he assisted in the support of the family, remaining 
with his father until his marriage. This important 
event in his life occurred April 26, 1856, the 
maiden of his choice being Miss Susanna Brown-, 
and the wedding taking place in Pike County, 111. 
Mrs. Morton was born in Brown County. Ohio, and 
is the daughter of Samuel and Diantha (Granger) 
Brown, who were natives of Ohio, and are now 
residents of Seward County, this State. Their 



family consisted of ten children, all residents of 
Nebraska except one. who lives in Cheyenne 
County, Kan. 

Our subject and his wife remained residents of 
Illinois until the spring of 1865, when Mr. Morton, 
disposing of his interests in the Prairie State, set 
his face toward the farther West, coming to Ne- 
braska. His subsequent movements we have al- 
ready indicated. His family circle was completed 
by the birth of eleven children, nine of whom are 
living, namely: William S., a resident of Gage 
County, this State; Charles, in this county; Martha, 
the wife of Frank Maris, of Gage County; Eliza- 
beth, Mrs. John Matthews, of this county; Adelia, 
Dora, Edward, James and Andrew. The two de- 
ceased are .Mary L. and Helen, who died in child- 
hood. 

Mr. Morton labored early and late for many 
years in order to gain a foothold upon the soil of 
Nebraska, and in due time found himself on the 
high road to prosperity. Not only has he con- 
tributed toward the development of Johnson 
County in the improvement of one of its finest 
farms, but has been a man liberal and public-spirited, 
encouraging the establishment and maintenance of 
schools and churches and contributing of his means 
to this end. He and his estimable wife are in their 
prime and well preserved as the result of temperate 
habits and correct lives, and enjoy the esteem and 
confidence of hosts of friends. Mrs. Morton is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. M., po- 
litically, is a Union Labor man. He was cradled 
under the wings of the Republican party, with 
which he labored and voted for many years. In 
connection with farming he makes a specialty of 
stock-raising, keeping good grades of cattle, horses 
and swine. He is amply supplied with the modern 
farm machinery, and in his home and surroundings 
is fulfilled the modern ideal of the complete rural 
estate where peace and plenty abide. 



rp=^j NOS L. LESTER lias been identified with the 
State since the year 1870, and has borne his 
full share of those discomforts, difficulties 
and hardships incidental to the age of the pioneer 
in every new district or section of country. He is 



»► i r* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



1G1 



working eighty acres of land upon section 5, Todd 
Creek Precinct, and has also a farm of 120 acres in 
Nuckolls County, situated within a mile of the city 
of Claramont. 

When our subject first came to the State he set- 
tled about seven miles northeast of Tecumseh, in 
Spring Creek Precinct. He remained there for 
about two j'ears, and then located as at present. 
He has been very enterprising in the operating of 
his farm and its redemption from its original prim- 
itive condition of raw prairie. His fields are well 
cultivated, fertile, and usually return him a fruitful 
harvest. The same is true of his orchards. He is 
not largely devoted to stock farming, but raises a 
number of hogs, sheep, cattle and horses, and has 
seen a continuous prosperity therein. In 1883 he 
saw his way clear to the erection of a new farm 
dwelling, and put up a good, commodious frame 
house, in which were not lacking many of the mod- 
ern devices for convenience and comfort. About 
the same time a new barn was necessary, and speed- 
ily it also arose from its foundation; it is very 
commodious and quite an ornament to the prop- 
erty. Our subject is feeding three carloads of fine 
cattle. 

Mr. Lester was born near Lansing, Mich., on the 
4th of March, 1852, and was about seven years of 
age when his parents removed to Hancock County. 
111. In the schools of that county he received a 
g 1 practical education, and then gave his atten- 
tion to farming, from which time until the present 
be lias chiefly been engaged therein, so that he is 
well informed upon all points connected with his 
chosen occupation, and is eminently practical. 

On the 4th of October, 1879, there was celebrated 
the marriage of our subject with Miss Victoria Piatt, 
of Spring Creek. She was bom in Indiana, on the 
24th of August. 1852, coining to this State with her 
parents, with whom she remained until her mar- 
riage, when they migrated hither in 1872. There 
have come to brighten and bless the home of our 
subject two children, who bear the names Ada and 
Ibrshel. 

In politics our subject is a Democrat, and active 
where the interests of his party are concerned. lie 
is also a member of the social order of Masonry, 
and attends the local lodge of the fraternity. He 
-«•— 



is a man popular and respected in the community, 
and as a business man is considered of stanches! 

integrity. 

The father of our subject, Thomas Lester, was 
born in New York, in the year 1811, and was by 
occupation an agriculturist. He was united in wed- 
lock with Miss Harriet Kaywood, a native of the 
same State, who presented him with seven chil- 
dren, of whom four are still living. The family 
emigrated successively from the home State to 
Michigan, thence to Illinois, and finally to Ne- 
braska, where he is now living at Sterling, in this 
county. For many years he has been a preacher in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, but is now living 
retired from'aclive service, and has united with the 
Presbyterian Church, where he is accompanied by 
his wife, who is also a member of the same com- 
munion. 



UGUST KRAUSE. The German element, 
maintaining its characteristic enterprise and 
4 spirit of sturdy adventure, was not long in 
penetrating the Territory of Nebraska as 
>oon as it was fairly opened for settlement. Among 
its notable pioneers is the subject of this sketch, 
who first arrived in this county in the spring of 
1866, before Nebraska had been admitted into the 
Union as a State. The month was May, and he had 
journeyed in a covered wagon from Wisconsin, ac- 
companied by his parents, .Michel and Christina 
(Humboldt) Krause. They first sought the home 
Of William Krause, a brother, in Gage County, 
where our subject tarried until February, 1868, the 
parents in the meantime stay ing in Johnson County. 
Mr. Krause made this memorable journey when 
a youth of nineteen years, but previous to that 
he had made a far longer one when a lad of ten. 
having crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Germany, 
where his birth took place March I, liS47. On this 
voyage he was also accompanied by his parents, 
and they made their way to Wisconsin, where they 
lived until coming to Nebraska. 

The first land secured by our subject was a tract 
of eighty acres, which he purchased in the spring 
of 1867. The father homeMeadcd eighty acres ad- 
joining, and upon neither had there been the slight- 





-«•- 



162 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



~t 



est attempt at improvement. The latter, like his 
sod, proceeded with the cultivation of the soil, and 
lived to be quite aged, his death occurring June 
10, 1880, after he had spanned seventy-five long 
years. The mother is still living, and has now at- 
tained the age of seventy-eight. She, with her hus- 
band, identified herself with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church man} - years ago, and in the doctrines 
of this denomination their children were carefully 
trained. The latter consisted of two sons, who are 
now in Nebraska. 

When Mr. Krause and his father came to this 
county they had between them about $100. They 
had paid $250 for their land. With the remaining 
cash in hand the}' purchased a cook stove, a cow 
and some provisions, and began tillling the soil 
with a yoke of steers, which they secured on time. 
They operated in this manner for a period of three 
years, and then, going over into Richardson County, 
traded the steers for a span of horses, giving $100 
to boot. The first dwelling of the family was a log 
cabin, which our subject put up in 18G7,and which 
he occupied with the family until the erection of 
the present residence, which is a substantial frame 
structure of six rooms, and which was completed 
in the fall of 1883. The log house was situated in 
the timber down on the creek. The Farm buildings 
which Mr. Krause now has are finely located, and 
in every way admirably adapted to the conveni- 
ence and comfort of the proprietor. Forty acres of 
timber add to the value of the estate, and the land 
which is not devoted to the growing of grain ex- 
hibits a fine stretch of pasture. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Hannah 
Billing, of Pawnee County, this State, was cele- 
brated at the home of the bride, near the town of 
Pawnee City, on the 20th of July, 1875. This lady 
is the daughter of Leonard and Agues (Boden- 
dorfer) Billing, who were natives of Germany. 
The mother passed away some years before the 
marriage of her daughter Hannah, but the father is 
still living and a resident of Pawnee. Of this union 
there have been born five children, viz: Joseph, 
Sophia, Ida, Leonard and .Matilda. They are all 
living, and form an interesting group, of which the 
parents may justly be proud, 

Mr. Krause is a very intelligent man and pos- 



sesses considerable literary ability, being the corre- 
spondent of several papers as a reporter of country 
news. He lays no claim to being a politician, but 
entertains the interest which is felt by every intel- 
ligent man in the prosperity of his county and 
Stale, and usually votes the Republican ticket. He 
has served on the School Board of his precinct for 
a period of twelve years, officiated as Moderator 
nine years, and as Director three years. In the 
spring of 1871 he was elected Assessor of Sterling 
Precinct, and discharged its duties, as has been his 
habit in all the relations of life, in a praiseworthy 
and conscientious manner. 



^^-S* — ^ 



SjASON L. PHILLIPS, widely and favorably 
known as the proprietor of the feed mill and 
store at the corner of Clay and Eighth streets, 
was born in 1831, in Oswego County, N. Y. 
He remained with his parents until twenty years of 
age, which time had been filled with the usual em- 
ployments of boyhood and youth. Upon leaving 
his native State he went to Lake County, 111., and 
purchased a farm. For the subsequent three years 
he made his home thereon, and was very success- 
fid. Selling that property, he went to Jackson 
County, Iowa, and later to Linn County. There 
he had a farm, but devoted more attention to 
threshing than was usual. He lived to see con- 
siderable improvement upon the threshing-ma- 
chines used when he first began, and was always 
deeply interested in them. He has himself invented 
quite a number of different improvements, and has 
made at least eleven different "separators." He 
holds a patent upon seven different points, which 
are much valued, and used upon almost every ma- 
chine constructed at present. 

Although he does not go out himself, our sub- 
ject still continues to run quite a large business in 
threshing. The most he does is occasionally, when 
circumstances press, to oversee the work until such 
pressure is removed. In 1807 Mr. Phillips sold 
his property in Linn County, Iowa, and came to 
Tecumseh. He purchased land in Nemaha Pre- 
cinct, and improved the same, living upon it in all 
about nine years. At the end of that period he 
'► 



f 



"4^ 



=a 4-* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



163 



sold the place and came to the city, where he has 
been engaged in the manufacture of wagons and 
washing-machines. He lias invented one of the 
latter, which has had quite an extensive sale and is 
much commended. He still runs a repair shop in 
connection with his feedmill, and turns out a large 
variety of work in excellent shape. 

Upon the 6th of March, 1861, our subject and 
Miss Julia McComber were united in marriage, 
and have become the parents of nine children, of 
whom six survive. Their names are recorded as 
follows: Hattie, Daniel, Julia, Addie and Emma 
(twins), and W. Sheldon. Mrs. J. L. Phillips is 
the daughter of Alonson and Sarah (Chase) Mc- 
Comber, and was born in the State of New York, 
on the 16th of May, 1834, and until her marriage 
made her home with her parents. Mr. McComber 
was by occupation a farmer, and held property in 
Oswego County, N. Y., but for the last ten years 
of his life resided in California, where he went for 
gold soon after 1849. 

Hattie Phillips, the eldest living daughter of our 
subject, is happily married to Oscar Whittin, a 
farmer of Oregon, and is the mother of four 
children; Daniel is living in Southern California, 
and is freighting with teams; he is married to Miss 
Nettie Carter, of Peru, Neb. The third child is 
unmarried, and resides with her uncle in Califor- 
nia; Addie makes her home with her sister in 
Oregon; the two younger members of the family 
are still at home. 

The eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, 
Florence J., died in April, 1882, in Oregon, and 
her remains were placed in the Oswego Cemetery, 
a beautiful city of the dead, ornamented witli ever- 
greens and fir trees. She was an interesting young 
lad}', beloved by all who knew her, 

Horace Phillips, the father of our subject, was 
born in Vermont, but migrated to the Empire 
State when about twenty-five years of age. He 
followed agriculture as the chosen occupation of 
his life. He was the owner of a good and ex- 
tensive farm in Oswego County, upon which lie 
continued to live until he attained a good old age, 
and then removed to his children in Illinois, and 
still later to Iowa. In that State he died at the 

age of seventy -seven. The maiden name of his 
«*•— 



wife was Susan Weed, a native of Vermont. They 
were the parents of eleven children, all of whom 
came to mature years, and all but one of them still 
survive. Mis. S. \V. Phillips died in Iowa, in 
1861, at the advanced age of sixty-five years. 

The Phillips family has for several generations 
been representative of the best class of American 
citizenship, and that of our subject in no way de- 
tracts from so worthy a histoiy. Throughout the 
county he is much esteemed, and as a business 
man enjoys a fine reputation. In society at large 
both he and his are received and accorded sin- 
cerest regard. 



^~»^3*£N§-<~^ 



ft JUDGE THOMAS APPELGET, of the First 
Judicial District of Nebraska, a gentleman 
whose history is here sketched, is in every 
way able to sustain the dignity of his office, 
and to deal with even-handed justice toward those 
who may stand before him in his official capacit}'. 
He was chosen to fill his present high position be- 
cause of his unusual ability as an attorney and 
counselor at law. His large mental capacity, his 
extensive reading and many years of practice in 
the profession, abundantly warranted the selection, 
and subsequent events have shown that it was 
right. 

Judge Appelget was born on the 22d of Novem- 
ber, 1832, in New Jersey. He was brought up 
on a farm, and remained at the old homestead 
until he was about eighteen years of age. He then 
went to Williston Seminary, in Massachusetts. Af- 
ter this he read law with Judge Van Dyke, at New 
Brunswick, N. J. In the intervals he taught school, 
and by that means was enabled to cover all his ex- 
penses during student days. He was admitted to 
the bar in New Jersey in the year 1866, after suc- 
cessfully passing a rigid, searching examination, and 
was ready to practice his chosen profession. 

Answering a call for men to defend the Stars and 
Stripes, and maintain the Nation's honor, our sub- 
ject enlisted in Company B, of the 28th New Jersey 
Regiment, serving for a term of one year, entering 
as a private, and by ability and military daring at- 
tracting such attention as to be advanced to the 



?£**-** 



164 



-•* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



f 



rank of Lieutenant, and afterward made Adjutant 
of the regiment, a fact which speaks by no means 
uncertainly as to his character and military efficiency. 

In 1870 Judge Appelget came to Tecumseh and 
opened a law office, and since that time has been 
engaged in the practice of law. It was a very 
short time before his list of clients had lengthened 
to a surprising extent, and his receipts from his 
practice gave him entire freedom from any finan- 
cial anxiety. He is entitled to practice in all 
courts of the United States, and is an eloquent 
pleader, ready upon all point* of argument, and 
accounted quite an ultimate authority in almost 
any legal matter that may come under discussion. 
He was appointed to the bench in May, 1887, and 
was elected in November, 1887, to fill the full term 
of four years, beginning in January, 1888. 

The lady to whom our subject was united in mar- 
riage was Miss Helen Voorhees, of the State of New 
Jersey. This interesting event was celebrated at 
Windsor, March 1, 1855. To them have been born 
two children, both of whom are living. The elder 
child of Judge Appelget, Anthony M., was as- 
sociated with his father until he went on the bench, 
and now takes full charge of the office business. 
His daughter Mary is at home. The wife of our 
subject was born in the above State, in September, 
1830. and is the daughter of John Voorhees, one of 
the prominent farmers of that place. She received 
a good education, and is a lady of culture and much 
innate refinement. 

Judge Appelget now lives near the city of Te- 
cumseh, and is the owner of a very fine residence 
on Fifth street, just outside the corporation limits. 
He has about five acres devoted to the lawn, be- 
sides the usual gardens and picturesque groves, etc. 
lie is also the owner of several important pieces of 
city property, and two extensive and well-cultivated 
farms in the county, possessing good buildings. 

Our subject has been the County Attorney for 
a number of years, but has always preferred to keep 
out of oflice. In his own private affairs he had as 
much as it was possible for him to attend to, and 
was eminently successful therein. By all who know 
him he is accounted one of the most valued and 
prominent citizens of Tecumseh, and enjoys the 
entire respect of the community at large, and, if 



anything, more than respect of his colleagues in 
his professional circles. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and has been so for a long 
time. During the j'ear 1887 he was Commander 
of the G. A. R. Post, and served with much effi- 
ciency. Although exceedingly well liked in the 
city, being pleasant in manner, very social and af- 
fable, he at all times upholds the dignity which he 
feels is associated with the tribunal he represents. 

Anthony Appelget, the father of our subject, 
was born in the year 1802, on the old homestead in 
Middlesex County, N. J., which has been in the pos- 
session of the family since the year 1754. There 
he spent all of his days, occupying the position of 
a prominent farmer, much respected in the commu- 
nity, holding at different times various offices in 
the county, a man whose word was considered equal 
to his bond, a worthy sire of a no less worthy 
son. 

The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our 
subject, was Lena Riggs. She presented her hus- 
band with six children, and in this family the sexes 
were evenly represented. Of these two sons and 
two daughters came to years of maturity. Mrs. 
Appelget, Sr., died in the year 1835, and some time 
afterward he married again, and is still living upon 
the farm. 

Thomas Appelget, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born upon the same farm, and operated it 
tin- the greater part of his life, dying upon it in the 
year 1830. His father's name was Anthoivy Ap- 
pelget, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in which 
be met his death. He also was ushered into this 
world at the same homestead. Thomas Appel- 
get, the father of Anthony, and great-great-grand- 
father of our subject, was a native of England, and 
was by occupation a blacksmith. He purchased 
the farm upon coming to this country, in the year 
1 754, as above mentioned. 

Helena (Riggs) Appelget was born in Middlesex 
County, N. J., living there with her parents until the 
time of her marriage. She was the daughter of 
Lewis and Ida Riggs, to whom she was born in the 
year 1804. Her father was one of the prominent, 
successful and enterprising farmers of the county. 

Anthony M. Appelget, the son of our subject, re- 
I ceived an excellent education in the schools of 



r 



*J« 



i 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



1G5 



Tecumseh, and afterward from the state University 

at Lincoln, Neb., then entering the law department 
of the Iowa University he was graduated with the 
class of '78, receiving the degree of LL. 15. He was 
the same year admitted to the bar in [owa and Ne- 
braska, to practice in all courts. Since that time 
he has continued in the practice of his profession 
with his father, assuming entire control of the busi- 
ness on the elevation of that gentleman to the 
bench. His wife was Miss Mary C. Paine, of this 
county. Their union was celebrated on the 27th of 
October, 1879. There have been five children born 
to them, of whom four are living, viz.: Thomas. 
Henry, Abbie and Clarence. For the past five 
years Mr. A. M. Appelget has filled with credit to 
himself and satisfaction to all concerned the office 
of City Attorney. 




ANIEL F. OSGOOD is a name known 
and respected in professional and social 
circles throughout Johnson County. In 
Tecumseh, the home of this gentleman, he 
is held in special regard as one of its most promi- 
nent attorneys and able counselors-at-law. He was 
District Attorney for this district, covering five 
counties, viz. : Johnson. Pawnee, Gage, Richardson 
and Nemaha. He was qualified on the 1st of Janu- 
ary, 1884, filling his office most acceptably until it 
was abolished, and the present office of Count} - At- 
torney created. 

The subject of this sketch was born on the 26th 
of September, 1858, in Wayne County, Pa. He 
was brought up and educated in his native count}', 
finishing his educational studies at Wyoming Semi- 
nary, at Kingston, Pa., alter which he taught 
School fur a time. lie came to this State in Au- 
gust, 1879, and continued to follow the same pro- 
fession of teaching until admitted to the bar in 
1881, after having read carefully in various offices, 
among others those of Judge Davidson and B. F. 
Perkins of this city. Being admitted to the bar, 
he opened an office in Tecumseh. from which time 
his practice has been continually growing. His 
bright, clear intellect, strong memory, ready wit 
and no less ready speech, have greatly assisted in 



making him a successful pleader in the various 
courts, and, although comparatively a young man, 
he has already made a record worth}' of imitation. 

Mr. Osgood was united in the bands of holy 
matrimony with Miss Mary B. Krum on the 3d 
of February. 1885. This lady is the daughter of 
Rev. Dr. J. D. Krum, of this city, and was born in 
New York State, on the 23d of August, 1863. She 
was rpiite a child when her parents removed to 
Seneca County, N. Y., where they continued to 
live until May of 1879, when they removed to 
Lewisburg, Pa. There they made their home until 
188"), and then came to this city, where Miss Krum 
was united in marriage to our subject. They 
are the parents of one beautiful daughter, to whom 
they have given the rame Mary Ellen. Rev. J. D. 
Krum was born in New York, and was graduated 
from Rutgers' College and Theological Seminary, 
where he prepared himself to follow his chosen pro- 
fession. He was a Presbyterian, and the changes 
of location above recorded were such as were inci- 
dental to removal to and from the various churches 
he has served in the pastorate. At present he is 
not engaged in active ministerial work. His wife, 
mother of Mrs. Osgood, was before her marriage 
Miss Ellen M. Blair, of Angelica, N. Y. This 
event was celebrated on the 26th of June, 1861, 
since which time two children have been born to 
them, who still survive. 

The father of our subject, John S. Osgood, was 
born in Wayne County, Pa. He continued to 
follow throughout the greater part of his life the 
calling he had selected, viz., husbandry, and for 
the most part hail clone so in his native county, 
where he was held in much regard. He has been 
called upon at various times to hold different town- 
ship offices, always doing so in a way most creditable 
and satisfactory. He. however, prefers to be 
allowed to attend to his own business, having no 
ambition to occupy official positions. His wife was 
Elizabeth Fairchild, of Luzerne County, Fa. They 
arc the parents of three children, who are still 
living. He has to-day a large dairy farm in Ster- 
ling Township, of Wayne < lounty, Pa., and with his 

wife enjoys much of the brightness of life. They 

are both members of the Methodist Episcopal 

Church, active, consistent and devout. He has 

«► 



4 166 



4- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




cheerfully and ably served the church in different 

offices when called upon. He is a man looked up 
to and respected by the entire community, admir- 
ing as they do his high character and consistent 
Christian walk and conversation. 

Daniel Osgood has before him a very bright 
prospect. "As the sun rises in the East " in the 
morning hours of the day, bathing the earth in 
glowing brilliancy and light, so has the sun risen on 
the professional life of our subject, throwing its 
rays far into the future, making it radiant with its 
promise. As a man and lawyer he is very highly 
esteemed by his fellows, and enjoys the confidence 
of quite a large clientage. He is an active worker 
in the various fraternities of the city, being a 
member of the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. O. F. 
and Encampment, of which he is a Past Grand 
and Past Chief Patriarch ; also Junior and Senior 
Warden of the Masonic Lodge, and also being a 
member of the Chapter and Conned. 

J "ft AMES IITLL, proprietor of the Tecumseh 
Elevator, so widely known throughout this 
i section of the country as a most worthj repre- 
') sentative of the grain interest, is the son of 
George Hill, who was born in England in 1790, and 
when about forty years of age came to America. 
While still in his native country this gentleman 
was married to Miss Isabel Allen, a native of Edin- 
burgh, Scotland. They were the parents of eight 
children, some of whom were born on the other 
side of the Atlantic. They were only privileged 
to bring five of their children to years of maturity. 
Coining to this country in 1811, he settled with his 
family in Cass County. III., and was among the 
earliest settlers there. He took up a new farm, im- 
proved and operated it, seeing no little success at- 
tending his labors. There he made his home until 
his death in 1868, having survived his wife about 
six years. 

The place of the nativity of James Hill was Ed- 
inburgh, Scotland, and the date of that interesting 
event the 7th of March, L83 I. At the time of the 
settlement in Cass County lie was ten years of age. 
He has a vivid recollection of the early work upon 



the farm, when he was set to help grub out the land, 
and as far as lie was able, help prepare it for the 
plow. lie received a good common-school educa- 
tion, and did not leave the parental roof-tree until 
after he had attained his majority. Then he went 
into tin" milling business at Virginia, 111. On the 
20th of November, 1861, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Needham, of Jacksonville, 111., who 
has presented him with seven children. Of these 
three sons ami three daughters are living. 

After spending about seven years in the town of 
Virginia, Mr. Hill sold out, and in 1871 came to 
this State. He took up a farm about ten miles 
northeast of Tecumseh, and continued to work the 
same for perhaps four years. In 187(1 he sold his 
property and came into the town and built the Cen- 
tennial Mill, and ran it for about five years. Until 
that time it had been a. stone mill, then he made it 
a roller mill, after which it became known as the 
Tecumseh Roller Mill. Not long afterward, in 
partnership with his sou. he went into business as 
a merchant on the corner of Clay and Fourth streets, 
and later into the coal business. In the spring of 
1886 the mill burned, and upon its site Mr. Hill 
erected a new elevator, which business he attends 
to himself, leaving his son to carry on that at the 
store, which was established after the burning of 
the null. The coalyard he has also retained under 
his supervision. 

Miss Mary Needham was born on the 1 01 li of 
March. 1842, at Jacksonville, 111., and there lived 
until she was fourteen years of age, when with her 
father, Joseph Needham. she went to Cass County, 
111., near Virginia, and there remained until her 
marriage. Her father was a native of England; 
he came to Illinois when he was about fifty years 
of age. In his native country he had been an agri- 
cult mist, and upon settling in Cass Comity took 
up a farm, which he is still operating with a large 
measure of success. His wife, however, was re- 
moved from him by death in the year 1876. 

George Hill, the eldest son of our subject, was 
born On Nov. I. 1862. lie was married to Ida 
Ashley, of Peru. Nebraska, and they are now the 
parents of three children — Ethel, Clarence and Edna. 
It is the son who is the member of the tirm of James 
Hill & Son. and lias charge of the store, as men- 



*•■ 




«*•- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



167 



fcioned abore. The next sun. James, Jr., assists 
his father at the elevator; John is attending school; 
the other members of the family are Matchel (known 
as Mittie), Isabel and Mary. All of them have 
been given a thorough education, and appreciate 
the power it has placed in their hands. As a fam- 
ily they are most happy and united, and their home 
is one of the pleasantest in the community. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hill are much esteemed members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in society 
they are at all times received with a cordiality that 
is born of a sincere regard. 





... NDREW SALZMAN, one of the honored 
^CJI, pioneers of Lincoln Precinct, may be found 
usually at his pleasant homestead on sec- 
tion 35, where he has resided since the 
spring of 18C8. A native of Butler County, Ohio, 
he was born Sept. G, 1829, and is the sou of Michael 
and Lena (Eiman) Salzman, the father a native of 
the Province of Lorraine, born while it belonged to 
France, and the mother a native of Prussia. 

The parents of our subject emigrated to Amer- 
ica shortly before the birth of the latter, settling in 
Butler County, Ohio, among its earliest pioneers, 
where they lived and labored until called hence. 
The father departed this life about 1861, and the 
mother in 1870. Andrew was the fifth of a family 
of seven children, five of whom are living, and 
residents of Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
State, and enjoyed the advantages of the pioneer 
schools, from which he was enabled to obtain, how- 
ever, only a limited education. He has been quite 
an extensive reader all his life, and has thus kept 
himself well posted in regard to matters of interest 
to the intelligent citizen. Upon leaving his native 
State in the fall of 1856, he made his nay to Wood- 
ford County, III., and was there at the outbreak of 
the Rebellion. Soon after the first call for troops, 
he enlisted. Aug. 20, 1861, in Company K, 1 29th 
Illinois Infantry, and participated in many of the 
important battles of the war, being present at Re- 
saca, and thereafter through the entire campaign, 
including the siege of Atlanta, also going with Sher- 



man on his famous march to the sea. After the 
capture of Savannah he fought in the battle of 
Averasboro, N. C, where he received a gunshot 
wound, March 16, 1865, through the right thigh, 
and was confined in the hospital until the 16th of 
June following, when he was given his honorable 
discharge. He now draws a pension of 88 per 
month from the Government. He acquitted him- 
self as a brave and faithful soldier, receiving the 
approval of his superior officers and the respect of 
his comrades. 

After the war Mr. Salzman returned to Illinois, 
and settled in Livingston County, where he resided 
until the spring of 1868. He then came to Ne- 
braska with his wife and family, having been mar- 
ried in Woodford County, III., March 22, 1859, to 
Miss Mary E. Pogue. Mrs. Salzman was born in 
West Virginia, and reared in Illinois, and is the 
daughter of Londa J. and Rebecca (Kirby) Pogue, 
who were natives of Pennsylvania and New York, 
and are now deceased. Their family consisted of 
ten children, and the survivors are residents of 
Illinois, Indiana and Nebraska. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there has 
been born one child only, a daughter, Nellie, who 
is now the wife of Albert Russell, and who, with her 
husband, resides at the homestead with her parents. 

Mr. Salzman upon coming to this count} - at once 
homesteaded 160 acres of land in Lincoln Precinct, 
and began at once its improvement, putting up the 
necessary buildings and bringing the soil to a state 
of cultivation. He has been greatly prospered in 
his labors, and wisely invested his surplus capital 
in additional land, being now the owner of 480 
acres, all of which is in a good state of cultivation, 
lie came to this county with very little capital, and 
has accumulated his possessions by hard labor and 
tin' exercise of the strictest economy. In common 
with the early settlers of Johnson County, he witli 
his estimable wife endured hardships and priva- 
tions, and they were obliged to calculate in the 
closest manner for a number of years in order to 
make both ends meet. They have emerged from 
the battle with flying colors, and are now sitting 
under their own vine and tigtree in independent 
circumstances, with the certainty of a competence 
in their declining years. Both united with the 
•►_ 



4= 



168 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Presbyterian Church some years ago, and are num- 
bered among its most active contributing members. 
Mr. Salzman, politically, is a solid Republican, and 
although never ambitious for office, has served on 
the .School Board of his precinct a number of years, 
and also discharged two terms the duties of Justice 
of the Peace. Liberal and public-spirited, lie is 
among the first to encourage the enterprises calcu- 
lated for the advancement of his adopted county, 
and is numbered among her most disinterested citi- 
zens, having in mind the best interests of her peo- 
ple. 

— *' c' * 3 | l[ | S * S' * '" 



*t 



ylLLIAM GRIMES. This gentleman is now 
serving his second term of office as Sheriff 
of Johnson County, being first elected on 
the Republican ticket in 1885, and re-elected two 
years subsequently. He is one of the most able and 
active officers in the State, and has been unani- 
mously chosen Secretary of the Sheriff's Association 
of Nebraska, which held its annual meeting at 
Omaha on the 11th of August, 1888. lie is deeply 
interested in all that pertains thereto, and is much 
esteemed among his colleagues as he is in society at 
large. He is the owner of considerable real estate 
and residence property in Sterling, and some land 
in Kansas, in addition to his well-established busi- 
ness, which is that of dealer in farming implements 
and groceries. 

Perry County, Ohio, is the native place of our 
subject, where he was born on the 6th of Novem- 
ber, 1857. In the usual institution he received his 
education, filling the days of childhood and youth 
after the manner of his school companions. As he 
is a thorough man, he was then a thorough boy, 
and although frequently both teachers and parents 
realized that this was true, perhaps to an undesira- 
ble degree, they might well be proud of him from 
the time he was old enough to put away childish 
things. After school daj's were over he continued 
upon his father's farm until he was twenty years of 
age, and then he decided to push out into the world 
for himself. 

Upon leaving home Mr. Grimes went to Hastings, 
Neb., and was engaged upon the Hastings Gazette, 
now the Gazette Journal. He took the place of a 



compositor, and was thus engaged for two years. 
Then he went to Ohio, and while there married Mary 
Cleaver, the amiable daughter of William and Mar- 
tha Cleaver, of Ilarveyshurg, Ohio. Their nuptials 
were celebrated on Christinas Day of the year 
1*78. There have been born to them three chil- 
dren, two of whom are still living, whose names 
are recorded as Flo and Thayer. Not long after 
their marriage the young couple removed to Clay 
County, this State, where they made their home for 
about eleven months, then came to Johnson County. 
They settled in the city of Sterling, where they 
have since continuously resided. 

Upon making their home in Sterling our subject 
engaged in the grocery business, to which he added 
the agricultural implement department, and saw 
much financial prosperity therein until 1885. His 
business was quite large and constantly growing, 
but in 1885, being elected Sheriff and tilling the 
office, he was compelled to make other arrange- 
ments. He gave his best attention to the various 
duties of his office, and sought to be thoroughly effi- 
cient therein. That he was successful in pleasing 
those who sent him there is evidenced by his re- 
election in 1887, with a very largely increased ma- 
jority over that which had been given him at 
previous elections. Although at the time of his 
election he was the youngest Sheriff in the State he 
has since proved himself to be by no means the 
least able. As an officer he is popular, aud yet at 
the same time is perfectly honorable in every de- 
tail of his office. In the fraternities he is quite 
well and favorably known, being a member of the 
Masonic. 1. 0. 0. F. and Sons of Veteran societies, 
and holding the position of Adjutant General of 
the Nebraska division of the latter. 

Mrs. Mary (Cleaver) Grimes was born in the 
Buckeye State, at Ilarveysburg, in Warren County, 
(in the 3d of March, 1857, and is the daugh- 
ter of William and Martha (Reason) Cleaver. 
Until her marriage she continued at home with her 
parents. Her father is one of the respected and 
much valued citizens of Warren County, Ohio, and 
has frequently been called upon by his fellow- 
citizens to the acceptance of some public trust. He 
is still living, in the enjoyment of comparatively 
good health considering his advanced age. His 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



169 



4 



wife, however, died when Mrs. Grimes was but six 

days old. About eight years Later be remarried, 
the name of his wife being Mary Sears. 

The father of our subject, George W. Grimes, 
was born in Perry County, Ohio, on the 1 9th of 
October, 1824, and lived in that county, following 
the occupation of farming, until 1881, when he mi- 
grated to Sterling. Since then lie has lived a re- 
tired life, enjoying the fruits of his previous years 
of toil. He has throughout his life been a devout 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
has sustained a deep interest in religious matters. 
He has been enthusiastic as a Mason and as a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. He enlisted in 1862, and 
served for one year and a half, seeing considerable 
service, taking part in many of the larger and more 
important battles during that period, and was 
finally discharged, owing to disability for fur- 
ther service. The maiden name of his wife was 
Sarah A. Smoot, born in Virginia. They became 
the parents of four sons and two daughters; one of 
the latter died shortly after reaching her fourth 
birthday; Mary V. Mason, nee Grimes, died in May. 
1881; the remainder are still living. Mrs. Sarah 
(Smoot) Grimes was born near the Blue Ridge, 
Ya.. in 1829, and when quite a young lady went to 
Ohio to fill an engagement as school teacher, in 
which she continued employed until her marriage. 
Her father, Lofton Smoot. was a blacksmith by 
trade, and he also after a time migrated to the 
same State. Her parents afterward went still fur- 
ther west to Illinois, where they made their home 
until their death. 

The State of Virginia is that wherein John 
Grimes, the grandfather of our subject, was born. 
lie was one of the early pioneers, and went, some 
700 or 800 miles into the woods of Ohio, and then 1 
cleared a farm lor himself and family, and at the 
time of his death was operating about 2.000 acres 
of good Ohio land, in addition to which each of his 
twelve children had 160 acres of land, which he 
had prepared for them ami given them. He was 
quite a prominent citizen in the district where he 
settled, and had quite a reputation in connection 
with the gallant manner in which he had handled 
his men while holding the commission of a Captain 
in the War of 1812. The sword used bv him at 



that time is in the possession of the subject of our 
sketch. He died in 1876, having passed his ninetieth 
birthday. The great-grandfather of our subject 
was born in Ireland. When a young man he came 
to Virginia, where he became the owner of a fine 
plantation, continuing there until his death. This 
became the homestead of the family, to which ref- 
erence has been made above. Our subject, remem- 
bering the history of his faniil}' in the past, ami the 
honorable positions they have always occupied, has 
brought no blot upon the family escutcheon. 



*$*. 




^ RS. ELIZABETH SAMPSON, for many 
years a much esteemed member of the com- 
munity of Lincoln Precinct, this county, 
and residing on section 1:5, township 5 
north, range 1 1 east, is a native of Carroll County, 
Ohio, and was born on the 31st of May, 1835. Her 
parents, John and Susan (Castleman) Cook, were 
natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. 
Her father is deceased, her mother is living now in 
Oxford, Iowa. Until she was sixteen years of age 
she lived with her parents in her native State, at- 
tended school there, and passed successfully through 
the various classes of the usual institutions Of learn- 
ing. Then, in the fall of 1851, she went with her 
parents to Johnson County. Iowa, where they were 
among the early pioneer settlers. It was here that 
her father died in the year 1873. Of a large fam- 
ily of children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, the sub- 
joined alone survive: Barbara was married to Sam- 
uel Chrisinger, deceased, of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; 

Rebecca, who became the wife of the late Klias 
Lewis, of Carroll County. Ohio; Henry resides in 
Millersburg, Iowa; Elizabeth; Michael, of Oxford, 

and Susan, who was married to J. W. Ilenley, of 
Lansing, Colo. 

Our subject was married at Oxford, Iowa, on the 
21st of February. 1858, to Mr. Ezekiel Sampson, a 
native of Erie County, Ohio, where he was born on 
the 2 1st of June, 1835. He was a son of Ezekiel 
and Margaret Sampson, who were respectively na- 
tives of New York State and Kentucky. His father 
died when he was but two years of age, and he was 
brought up by his mother, and remained with and 



*T 



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170 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



*. 



assisted her in the care of their farm, from the time 
he was able to do so until his marriage, from which 
time he provided for her in his own family until her 
death, on the 17th of February, 1872. 

Owing to the circumstances above mentioned, 
Mr. Sampson received but a limited education, and 
that in the pioneer schools of Ohio. When he was 
seventeen years of age, with his mother and the 
other members of the family, he removed to Iowa 
County. Iowa, which became their home for a num- 
ber of years, and it was during that time that the 
acquaintanceship which finally resulted in his mar- 
riage was formed and consummated. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Sampson were born eight children, of whom 
the following survive: Susan, the wife of LaFay- 
ette A. Sharett, of Lincoln Precinct; Clinton E., 
George W., Elmer, Eugene and Minnie, all of whom 
are at home. The two deceased children were 
named John and Anna B. 

Mr. Sampson served for forty-two months in the 
late war under the stars and stripes. He was at the 
siege and battle of Vicksburg, and through the Red 
River campaign. He was with Sheridan when that 
illustrious General drove the Confederate forces out 
of the Shenandoah Valley. He was a true and 
brave soldier, and did good service for his country. 
The result, however, to him, from the hardships and 
privations endured, was to breakdown his constitu- 
tion, which was never the same after his service as 
it had previously been. 

Accompanied by his family, Mr. Sampson in the 
year 18G6 removed to this county, and took up a 
homestead claim of 160 acres in the northern part 
of Vesta Precinct, and continued farming there for 
about nine years, after which he settled on the farm 
that is now managed by the subject of this sketch. 
The}' were among the first settlers in that district, 
and at that time found all the usual hardships and 
difficulties incident to pioneer life. He was a self- 
made man in ever}' sense of the word, and was such 
a one that he enjoyed the confidence and true re- 
gard of all acquainted with him. He was a man of 
sterling integrity and deep piety, a member and 
supporter of the Baptist Church, and an advocate 
of all such institutions and organizations as would 
benefit the community. He was a true friend and 
a most exemplary citizen, faithful to a degree, and 



affectionate as a husband and father. He was sin- 
cerely mourned when he departed this life on the 
17th of March, 1879. In his relation to the politi- 
cal welfare of the State, Mr. Sampson was a Repub- 
lican. For many years he was a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and was interred by his brethren 
according to the rites of the order. His widow, the 
subject of this sketch, is an active member of so- 
ciety, greatly respected by all, true to every rela- 
tion of life. She is a devout member of the Baptist 
Church, and spends her life in tlje endeavor to bring 
by uniform unselfish kindness, brightness and hap- 
piness into the lives of others. 



-*-%£^tf» 



■*<-v 



0" RL( ) PAINE. This well and favorably known 
j citizen of Helena Precinct, resident on sec- 
tion 33. township G north, range 11 east, is 
a descendant of a good Connecticut family that has 
been identified with that section of the country for 
several generations. The paternal grandfather set- 
tled in Connecticut in the latter half of the last 
century. At the time of the War for Independence 
his family was represented in the ranks of the Col- 
onists, -who were the founders of the Republic. 
The maternal grandfather also served in that war, 
holding the position of Drum Major. 

Our subject was born in Litchfield County, 
Conn., on the 12th of January. 1834, and is the 
son of John and Abigail (Hendricks) Paine. They 
were the parents of nine children, and the sub- 
mentioned members of the family still survive: 
George, who resides in Cayuga County. N. Y., as 
does also his brother William; James in Litchfield 
County, Conn.; Edwin in Tecumseh; Hulda, the 
wife of II. O. Ward, of Litchfield County, Conn.; 
and Martha, now Mrs. E. C. Ferris, of the same 
county. Three members of the family are de- 
ceased, viz.: John. Sarah ami Frances. The father of 
our subject died on the 7th of March, 18.58, and 
the mother July 3, 1840, and were at the time of 
their demise aged seventy -one and forty -six years 
respectively. 

In his native State our subject made his home 
until he attained to manhood. As a boy he was 
carefully nurtured, and in the common schools re- 



^CT^ 



•^^^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



171 



*t 



ceived a fair practical education. Upon leaving 
school In' devoted himself to the carpenter and 
joiner's trade, Inthe-spring of 1856 be left his 
Eastern home and removed to Illinois, where he 
engaged at the same trade. On the 20th of Feb- 
ruary, 1862, at Farm Ridge, LaSalle Co., [11., he 
was united in marriage with Julia A. Wiswall, who 
was born in LaSalle County, on the lltli of No- 
vember, 1841, to Jason 1*. ami Julia E. (Dimmick) 
Wiswall. To our subject Mud wife there have been 
horn three children, viz.: Walter L.,on the loth of 
August, 1863; Herbert, Dee. 8, 1867; and Stella, 
Aug. 26, 187."). 

The parents of Mrs. Paine were natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Their family circle included eight chil- 
dren, Who are mentioned as follows: Adeline, the 
wife of Jacob Cadwell, of Sonoma County, CaL, 
where resides also Hannah, the wife of Alfred Sy- 
monds; Caroline, now Mrs. McMillan, of Guthrie 
County, Iowa; Julia, wife of our subject; Edwin, 
who resides in Ottawa, 111.; Harriet, who is mar- 
ried to Alexander Cadwell, and resides in Sonoma 
County, CaL; Jerusha, wife of James Garrison, re- 
siding in Southern California, and Eliza; the latter 
was the first-born child, and is the only one who 
has been removed by death, which came to her at 
Deer Park in infancy. 

Leaving their native State in 183.'i Mr. and Mrs. 
Wiswall migrated to LaSalle County, 111., and made 
their home among the pioneer settlers of the 
county. He was horn on the 23d of April, 1810, 
and is of English extraction ; Mrs. II. On the 2 1st 
of January, 1811. Her parents removed from 
Wayne County. Pa., to the State of Connecticut 
when she was three years of age, and she was there 
brought up. Prior to the death of Mr. Wiswall. 

which occurred on the 16th of July, 1886, they 

removed to Sonoma County. CaL. where the widow 
still resides, surrounded by her relatives and 
friends. She has reached the advanced age of 
eighty years, lint is Mill in the enjoyment of fairly 

g 1 health and strength. 

In the spring of 1878 the subject of our sketch 
left LaSalle County, 111., and. accompanied by his 
family, came to this county, making their home as 
at present, locating upon the farm he had purchased 
in the year 1870. which at thai time cost him at 



the rate of $6.25 per acre, lie bought eighty acres, 

hnt the success that has attended him has been 
such that he has now I CI) acres, well improved, 
highly cultivated, and under all ordinary circum- 
stances yielding him a large return. His buildings 
are good and complete, and hishomesuch as might 
well l»i' envied him by many apparently better cir- 
cumstanced. The chief attraction, however, and to 
our subject the chief beauty, is the wife and family, 
to whom he is devoted, and who on their part are 
equally devoted to him, so that it is a true home in 
the most complete meaning of the word. 

When a resident of Ford County, 111., our sub- 
ject served as Clerk of Peach Orchard Township 
for a year, and he is at present the Treasui t of the 
School Hoard of Helena Precinct, and has served 
upon the board for a number of years. Politi- 
cally, he is a Democrat, and as such is at all times 
ready to do his best for the party which he be- 
lieves to be governed by correct principles. The 
greater part of his life he has followed the trade of 
a joiner, in connection with his farming, and has 
been quite well prospered. He is among the well- 
to-do citizens of the district, and by reason of his 
high character is most favorably received by all 
who know him, as is also every member of his 
family. 

A ft 



<3=Hf 



' 7 



=£>- 



^;. URDY PLATT. The fanning community 
i of Helena Precinct is well represented by 
the subject of this sketch, who resides on 
section 21, township 6 north, range 1 1 east, 
where he owns 3G0 acres of good farming land. He 
was born on the 3d of August, 184:S, to Peter and 
Sasan (Milliken) Piatt, of Dearborn County, Ind. 
His paternal grandfather, Gilbert Piatt, was a na- 
tive of New York State, and was one of the first to 
settle in Dearborn County, Ind., where the father 
of our subject was brought up, and is now residing 
in Tecuinseh. in the declining years of his life. 
While resident in Indiana that gentleman had 
Served in various county and other offices, render- 
ing good and efficient service. 

The subject of our sketch was reared to man- 
1 1 in his native State, and in the schools thereof 



172 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



^Hh-*» 



received a good, practical mental training. Subse- 
quently he taught school for seven winters in In- 
diana, and also two in this State. On the 9th of 
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 16th In- 
diana Infantry. This regiment was attached to 
the 15th Army Corps, and served first in Kentucky. 
They took part in the battle of Richmond, after 
which they were sent down the Mississippi River 
and next fought at Arkansas Post. He was al.su in 
the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and later in the 
battle of Mansfield. La., where he was wounded by 
a gunshot in the knee, and was in the hospital for 
some time, and upon leaving that institution re- 
ceived an honorable discharge, in October, 1864. 
He had entered the army as a private, but was early 
promoted, and continued to serve as a Corporal. 

Leaving the army, our subject returned home to 
Dearborn County, where, on the 24th of October, 
1866, he was united in marriage with Mary Alex- 
ander, a native of the same count}'. She was born 
on the 31st of January, 1851, and is the daughter 
of Luther (deceased) and Phyllis (Gill) Alexander. 
Her father was born in Indiana, her mother in 
England, but she had come to this State when about 
three years of age with her parents, who migrated 
hither. The Alexander family originally looked 
to Kentucky as its native State. Three children 
were born to her parents, of whom only Mrs. Piatt 
and her sister Lulu, wife of Alfred Piatt, also of 
Helena Precinct, are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Piatt 
have been born four children: Alma L., March 
28, 1873; Owen D., March 18, 187."); Roy C, Nov. 
1, 1879, and Ralph R., Oct. 23, 1887. 

In the year 1872 our subject and his wife mi- 
grated to this county, making their home as at 
present. At that time fifteen acres of land were 
broken, but there were no improvements made 
upon the property of any description whatever. 
Now it is more like a modern model farm, splen- 
didly cultivated and fully supplied with all things 
necessary thereto. He has had his full share of 
difficulties as a pioneer, and has shown himself a 
thoroughly capable ami loyal citizen, as well as a 
practical and successful farmer. His home is one 
of the best among the farm dwellings of the county. 

The parents of our subject numbered in their 
family circle eight children, whose names we men- 



tion as follows: Purdy, our subject; Sarah, the wife 
of Clark Wicks, of Nemaha County; Alfred, of 
Helena Precinct; Daniel, who is residing in Dear- 
born County, Ind.; Victoria, who is married to 
Enos Lester, of this county; John, who is in Kan- 
sas; Emma, now Mrs. Ora Lester, of this county, 
and Ennis, also living in this county. 

Our subject assisted in the organization of the 
School District No. 64, and was the first to teach 
the school there. He is, with his wife, a member of 
the Universalist Church, and our subject is one of 
the Trustees of the church; both are active members 
of local society, and are everywhere highly es- 
teemed. He is serving as Treasurer of his school 
district, and for a number of years has been on the 
School Board. In the Tecumseh Post of the G. 
A. R., of which he is a member, he is very highl}' 
esteemed as a brave comrade, patriot, true man and 
citizen. 



_ REDERICK KOHN, of Western Precinct. 

P conducts his agricultural operations intelli- 
gently on a good farm of 160 acres, occu- 
pying eighty acres on section 18, and also eighty 
on section 19. Of Bohemian nativity, he was born 
on the other side of the Atlantic, Aug. 13, 1855, 
and is the sou of Joseph and Barbara (Smith) 
Kohn, who were also of German birth and parent- 
age, and whose family consisted of seven children. 
The parents spent their entire lives upon their na- 
tive soil, and passed away some years since. The 
surviving members of the family are residents of 
Nebraska and Germany. 

Young Kohn received a very good education in 
his native tongue, and after leaving school em- 
ployed himself at the cooper trade until a youth of 
nineteen years. In the spring of 1874, resolving to 
seek his fortune in the New World, he embarked 
on a steamer at the port of Bremen, and after a 
voyage of two weeks landed upon American soil, 
in the city of New York. After a very brief so- 
journ there he proceeded westward across the Mis- 
sissippi, and for three and one-half 3'ears there- 
after was employed on a farm in Pawnee Count}', 
this State. In the meantime, in order to gain a bet- 
ter knowledge of the English language, he at- 



*► O «- 



" 



4 



►#"*• 



'i 



<o- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 






173 



tended school winters, working for his board in the 
evenings, mornings and Saturdays. 

Our subject, with true German thrift and pru- 
dence, had managed to save something from his 
earnings, and in the summer of 1878 began to 
make arrangements for the establishment of a home 
of his own. One of the most important of these 
was his marriage, which occurred on the 2d of 
July, with Miss Josephine Ileinovsky. This lady 
was born Feb. 13, 1858, in Bohemia, and is the 
daughter of Martin Ileinovsky, a native of Bo- 
hemia, and who now lives at the home of our sub- 
ject. Of this union there have been born four 
children — Emma, Edward, Ambrose and Lorenz. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kohn came with their little family 
to this count}' in the spring of 1885, settling on 
the farm which they now own and occupy. Although 
not elegant, their home is extremely comfortable, 
the buildings and fences being in good repair, the 
machinery adapted to modern agriculture, and the 
live stock in keeping with the general air of thrift 
and prosperity. Mr. Kohn has been quite promi- 
nent in local affairs in the communities where he 
has lived. While a resident of Pawnee County he 
served as Justice of the Peace, Road Overseer and 
Moderator of the School Board. In Western Pre- 
cinct he is a School Director and Treasurer, and re- 
ligiously, is a member in good standing of the 
Catholic Church. He is a man who reads under- 
stand ingly, and takes an interest in everything 
calculated to advance the intelligence and prosper- 
ity of the people around him. He keeps himself 
well posted upon current events, and uniformly 
votes the Democratic ticket. 



-»*^(gtftf^ 



4 



JAMES WEBB. The name of this gentleman 
is associated with the early history of this 
county, to which he came in the fall of 18GG 
and settled on a tract of uncultivated prairie 
land, from which he has eliminated one of the most 
beautiful farms within its limits. Not the least 
among its attractive features is an imposing frame 
residence, which would be an ornament to any town. 
and which was finished in the summer of 1883. This 
forms only one of the features of a most attractive 

<• 



home, whose inmates are surrounded by all of the 
comforts of life and many of its luxuries. The 
hand of thrift and industry is apparent on all sides 
about the premises, together with the exercise of 
refined and cultivated tastes. The proprietor is a 
man held in high regard by his community, and one 
whose upright life furnishes a fine example to the 
rising generation. 

The childhood home of our subject was on the 
other side of the Atlantic, in Bedfordshire, En- 
gland, where his birth took place under the modest 
roof of his parents, July 6, 1831. He lived in his 
native, land until the spring of 1850, being then a 
youth of nineteen years, when, not satisfied with his 
condition or his prospects, he determined to seek 
his fortunes on another continent. 

( >ur subject upon reaching America made his way 
directly to Waukesha County, Wis., where he worked 
at his trade of carpenter until the summer of 1862. 
The Civil War being then in progress he enlisted in 
behalf of the Union, on the 21st of August, in Com- 
pany F, 28th Wisconsin Infantry, which was as- 
signed to the Army of the West, and which began 
operations in Arkansas. Mr. Webb first saw the 
smoke of battle at Helena, and subsequent!}- partici- 
pated, July 4, 1864, in the battle at Helena. Later 
he was at Little Rock, Mobile and Spanish Fort, 
besides meeting the enemy in minor engagements 
and skirmishes, from all of which he came out with- 
out a scratch. He, however, endured all the hard- 
ships and privations incident to army life, and 
performed his duty faithfully and bravely, and at 
the close received his honorable discharge, Aug. 21, 
1865, at Brownsville, Tex. 

Returning now to his old home in Wisconsin our 
subject continued to reside there a year, then came 
to Nebraska. Here he battled with the difficulties 
of life in a new settlement, but allowed nothing to 
turn him from his purpose of establishing a home- 
stead west of the Mississippi. His labors in due 
time met with their legitimate reward. In addition 
to the thorough cultivation of his land he has set 
out about seven acres of forest trees, planted an 
apple orchard and the smaller fruit trees, and gath- 
ered around him all the appliances of the ideal, 
modern homestead. Besides the dwelling there i> 
a large, line barn and sheds for cattle, besides pens 



f 



4 174 



^h-* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4 



for swine, of which Mr. Webb makes a specialty, 
and from the proceeds of which he realizes a hand- 
some income. 

While a resident of Wisconsin Mr. Webb was 
united in marriage with Miss Eliza E. Home, on the 
24th of November, L855. The five children of this 
union include four daughters and one son, who are 
named respectively: Caroline, Delia, Ida, Bertha 
and Walker dames. The latter is the eldest horn, 
and is fanning in Lincoln Precinct. He married 
Miss Mary Iloworth, of Tecumseh, and they have 
three children — Ruby, Carrie and Mabel. The eld- 
est daughter, Carrie, married Mr. James Henry, and 
they are living on a farm in Lincoln Precinct, be- 
ing the parents of three children — Roy, Nova and 
Myrl Edith. The other children are at home with 
their parents. They have all been given good ad- 
vantages, and will become useful members of their 
community. 

Mrs. Eliza E. (Home) Webb was born June 22, 
1837, upon the present site of the city of Milwau- 
kee, and is supposed to be its first native white 
child. Her parents, Solomon and Elizabeth (Wood) 
Home, were of English birth and ancestry, and 
crossed the Atlantic in 1835, settling first on land 
near ITtica, N. Y., to which the father could 
not obtain a clear title on account of various mort- 
gages which it seemed impossible to adjust. On 
this account he moved to Wisconsin, settling upon 
the present site of Milwaukee, at a time when the 
now flourishing city was composed of a solitary log 
shanty. Then Mr. Home removed with his family 
to Pewaukee, in Waukesha County, where he took 
up land, from which he improved a farm, and there 
spent the remainder of his days. His death occurred 
in the year 1878, when he had nearly attained his 
fourscore and ten years. The wife and mother had 
passed away five or six years prior to his death. 
Their children, eight in number, are now in Ne- 
braska and Wisconsin respectively. 

George Webb, the lather of our subject, was also 
a native of Bedfordshire, England, and emigrated 
to America about 1854, joining his son James in 
Wisconsin. The latter in the meantime had re- 
turned to England on a visit, and persuaded his 
father to accompany him home. The latter was a 
farmer by occupation, and died about 1877, after 
*• 



having attained his threescore and ten years. The 
mother in her girlhood was Miss Elizabeth Rain- 
bow, and the parental family consisted of several 
children, but three of whom are living. The mother 
died when her son James was a babe of six months, 
and he was left principally to the care of strangers, 
being thrown upon his own resources as soon as old 
enough to fight his way in the world. He is thus a 
self-made man in the closest sense of the word, and 
he has made for himself a record to which his pos- 
terity may point with pride. 




eHARLES L. KING. The subject of this 
sketch is numbered among the representative 
farmers of Todd Creek Precinct, where he 
has made a good record also as a citizen, and where 
he is the proprietor of 160 acres of improved land 
comprising a fine farm on section 12. Of this he took 
possession when it was but slightly removed from 
its original uncultivated condition, and he has 
devoted the best years of his life to its improve- 
ment, with results that should satisfy any reason- 
able man. The farm is enclosed with a beautiful 
hedge fence, which, around the dwelling especially, 
is kept closely and evenly trimmed in artistic form, 
and which adds greatly to the attraction of a home 
which, with its surroundings, closely approaches the 
modern idea of the complete rural estate. 

Mr. King of late years has been greatly interested 
in fine stock, and usually keeps a herd of high- 
grade Short-horn cattle, besides excellent draft 
horses of the Norman and Clydesdale stock, to- 
gether with Poland-China swine. His stock opera- 
tions have been more than ordinarily successful, 
and from them he enjoys a handsome income. Mr. 
King first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska in the 
spring of 1878, having come here on a prospecting 
tour. He made no purchase, however, until the 
fall of 1880, and then secured possession of the 
land which he now owns. The improvements 
which the passing traveler views to-day with an ad- 
miring eye are the result of an untiring industry, 
and a very judicious outlay of capital. Upon what 
was once the low prairie, with nothing larger than a 



f 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



175 



blade of grass, now stand among other embellish- 
ments, 2,500 beautiful forest trees, planted by the 
hand of our subject, while he has devoted five acres 
to an apple orchard of the finest varieties, besides the 
smaller fruits which supply the family in their 
season with dainties which can only be grown under 
proper care and training. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Niagara 
County, N. Y., May 31, 1857, and lived there with 
his parents until a lad ten years of age, pursuing his 
studies in the common school. He then removed 
with his parents to Henry County, III., where he 
completed a practical education, and became fully 
acquainted with all the details of farm life. His 
father, Horace King, was born in New York State 
about 1811, and removed from its eastern portion 
to Niagara Count}' after his marriage with Miss 
Desire J. Burton. They -became the parents of 
three children, namely: Edward F., William L.,and 
Charles L., our subject. The mother and sons are 
all living, the latter carrying on farming success- 
fully in Todd Creek Precinct, this county. The 
parents continued residents of New York State 
until 1867, then removed to Henry County, 111., 
and from there in the spring of 1881 joined their 
sons in thiscount}', where the father died in the fall 
of 1886. The mother is still living on the farm in 
this precinct. Horace King, although a very intel- 
ligent man, was no politician, but kept himself 
well posted upon affairs of State and National in- 
terest and conscientiously voted the Republican 
ticket. The parents in earlier years identified them- 
selves first with the Methodist Church, and then 
with the Free Methodists. The family bears the 
highest reputation in this county, being careful and 
conscientious in their business transactions, prompt 
to meet their obligations, and in all respects peace- 
able and law-abiding citizens. 

Miss Mary J. Huntley, of Knox County. III., 
was married to our subject at her home in 
Walnut Grove Township, Nov. 27, 187!). This 
union resulted in the birth of one child, a son. 
Charles H., who is now living at home. The young 
wife only survived her marriage until 1888. 

Mr. King contracted a second matrimonial alli- 
ance, with Miss Cora B. Huntley, a sister of his first 
wife, and to them also there has been born one 



child, a son, Levi II., who is now four months old. 
Mrs. Cora (Huntley) King was horn in Knox 
County, HI., Nov. 10; 1864, and is the daughter of 
Levi A. and Elizabeth (King) Huntley, the former 
of whom was born in New York State, and re- 
moved thence to Ohio early in life, and from there 
to Knox County, 111., where he became prominent 
and well-to-do, and where, with his excellent wife, 
he is still living. They are people held in high 
respect in their community, and members in good 
standing of the Christian Church. Their family 
consisted of three daughters, namely : Mary J., 
Nellie E. and Cora B. 



-J-+£^0»3-M- 



-fl WATERMAN G. VAN NESS. The history 
|J| of Nebraska has many chapters of frontier 
\y${] life and experience, and they are in every 
way equal to those of other States, although possi- 
bly not so pretentious. One who has had much ex- 
perience in Nebraska frontier life is the gentleman 
whose life is here briefly sketched, who has been 
identified with the State since the year 1871. 

Mr. Van Ness was born in Columbia County, N. 
Y., in the month of June, 1833, and there resided 
during the first fourteen years of his life, and re- 
ceived the foundation of bis education. Then, with 
his parents he went to DeKalb County. III. He is 
a son of .Jesse and Rachel (Biglow) Van Ness, who 
were natives of New York. After three years of 
residence in Illinois the family removed to Colum- 
bia County, Wis. There the father died in Novem- 
ber, 1882, at the age of eighty years. The mother 
of our subject Still Survives, ami makes her home at 
that place. 

The family of which Mr. Van Ness is a member 
included four children, he being the second. From 
his youth he has been more or less upon a farm, in- 
termingling with the varied incidents of such a call- 
ing. In 1871 he came to Harlan County. Neb., 
and there entered a claim of 160 acres. He lived 
within one mile of Alma, the county seat. Upon 
the occasion of his first visit to Alma the town was 
infested by a herd of buffalo, and he had the keen 
satisfaction of a hunter in seeing two fall under his 
hand, lie remained among the buffaloes and In- 




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176 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4- 



dians of that district until 1883. During the 
twelve years he lived there with his family they 
were not off the farm over night upon any occa- 
sion. There were many trials, difficulties, not a 
few dangers, but also many pleasures in those years. 
and in spite of grasshoppers, fires, storms and other 
minor incidents, he was fairly prosperous. 

In 1883 Mr. Van Ness removed with his family 
to Johnson, locating upon his present farm, which 
is situated upon section 18, Sterling Precinct, and 
160 acres in extent; he also owns eighty acres on 
section 13. When he took his land there was a small 
house upon it, to which he has built an excellent 
addition. He has also erected stables and other 
farm buildings in a substantial manner, putting up 
such as will be of service in the Nebraska climate. 
He has also set up a windmill that is powerful 
enough to supply his stables, barn, cattle shed and 
residence. His orchard covers over six acres, and 
his home is very happily situated, and is one of the 
best in point of comfort, hospitality and homelike- 
ness. 

In the month of July, 1854, the subject of our 
sketch became the husband of Miss Jane Wright, 
the accomplished daughter of Lemuel and Experi- 
ence Wright, of Connecticut, who came West about 
the year 1851, and settled in Dane County, Wis. 
Mr. Wright departed this life in the year 1859, and 
his wife in Harlan County, this State, in 1872. Five 
children have been born of the above union, and 
bear the names here appended : Willis, Albert, Sher- 
man, Clara and Emma. 

When the call came for patriotic friends of the 
Union to defend it from secession, Mr. Van Ness 
enlisted on the 14th of February, 1865, in Com- 
pany A, of the 153d Illinois Infantry. He served 
through the Western campaign, being stationed at 
Nashville and Tullahoma. He was mustered out in 
September of the same year, and returned to his 
home. 

For the greater part of his life our subject has 
been a member of the Democratic party, but for 
the last few years, being convinced that definite and 
concerted action was necessary in dealing with the 
liquor question, he became an affiliate of the Pro- 
hibition cause. Since returning from military serv- 
ice our subject has broken the greater of his land 



and brought it to a high state of cultivation, has 
put one-quarter of his farm in tame grass, and made 
every provision for stock-raising, giving his atten- 
tion chiefly to horses and hogs, with every prospect 
of even more than ordinary success. 

ffi AMES R. GLASS. This gentleman, well 
known in the business circles of Tecumseh, 
where he is one of the enterprising business 

iMj men, being engaged in the drug business, to 
which he has added a grocery department, and also 
the owner of valuable real estate in the town, was 
born in Shelbyville, Ky., on the 29th of November, 
1858. There he continued to live until he attained 
his majority. In its schools he was educated, and 
after leaving its institutions of learning began life. 
The fall and winter of 1878-79 were spent by him 
in the College of Pharmacy of Louisville, Ky., 
after which he engaged in business at Sabetlia. Kan., 
where lie continued for five years, building Tip an 
extensive trade, and enjoying the reputation of be- 
ing a most careful and accurate prescriptionist. 

While in Kansas the subject of our sketch be- 
came acquainted with Miss Jennie MeGuire, of 
Blairsville, Pa., and to her was united in wedlock 
on the 27th of May, 1881. They have become the 
parents of one bright and intelligent son, whom 
they have named Arthur. So successful was lie in 
Sabetlia that he was enabled to acquire several very 
valuable pieces of property, besides owning one of 
the best residences in the town. The removal to 
Tecumseh was effected upon the 30th of July, 1884, 
since which time lie has been engaged withincreas- 
ing prosperity and financial success as a druggist 
and grocer. His store is one of the attractive 
features in the business quarter of the town; his 
stock is always complete, and of the finest quality 
in either department. The store is situated on 
Clay street, almost, opposite the new court-house. 

Mr. tilass is a member in good standing of both 
the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities, and has 
held important offices in both. His life has been 
molded largely after the guiding principles taught 
by the great light of masonry, in which he has been 
instructed. This has lightened the pathway of his 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



177 



4 



life, as under its guidance he has gone on his way 
fearing no danger. He is :i devout member of the 
Christian Church, and for many years has been an 
active worker and able supporter thereof. Every 
worthy enterprise of a charitable or other com- 
mendable nature has received his Liberal support. 

The wife of our subject was born in Wisconsin. 
She is a daughter of the Hon. Miller and Mary 1!. 
McGuire. Her father was United States Senator 
for Wisconsin, and was still a Senator when he 
came home from Washington, was taken sick with 
pneumonia and died after a short illness. At 
this time his daughter was about live years of age. 
After iter bereavement Mrs. McGuire removed to 
Blairsville. She gave her daughter the liest edu- 
cation in her power, and had the happiness of seeing 
her graduate from the Blairsville Female Seminary. 
Senator McGuire was an energetic and prosperous 
business man, having a large connection as a hard- 
ware man and dealer in all kinds of agricultural im- 
plements. Miss Jennie went to Sabetha, Kan., on a 
visit to friends at that place, intending after a short. 
time to return home, but was unable to do so. 
owing to her meeting with our subject and her sub- 
sequent marriage. Her mother still resides in 
Blairsville, and is the wife of a Mr. Dixon, one of 
the wealth j' citizens of that place. 

•lesse A. (ilass, the father of our subject, was born 
on the 23d of March. 1817, in Virginia. He re- 
ceived his education in tin' Georgetown College. 
Ky., his parents having removed to that State in 
early childhood. After his education was com- 
pleted and he had graduated from that institution he 
engaged in farming, stock raising and dealing, and 
became quite extensively connected in that branch 
of business. Financially, he has been a most pro- 
nounced success. At present he is Director of the 
Shelbyville Bank, a position he has held for many 
years. He has also 250 acres of tine farming land, 
besides considerable city properly. 

The father of our subject has always avoided 
politics, but has been one of the Trustees of his 
city, lie is a trusted and honored man in the city. 
universally respected throughout the community. 

He has built and is still living in an elegant home. 
and enjoying the harvest of seed sown in other 
da\ s. His health, both physical and mental, Is iin- 
««♦— 



usually good for one of his age. and all his sur- 
roundings are such as to enable him to enjoy to 

the fullest, possible extent this perhaps greatest 
blessing. The maiden name of his wife was Irene 
Reed. She was born in Versailles, Ky., ami until 
her marriage resided with her parents. Of this 
union there has been bom one child, the subject 
of this sketch, whose misfortune, however, it has 
been never to have known a mother's care, she hav- 
ing died when he was yet an infant. It is perhaps 
the more commendable in him that under such cir- 
cumstances he is what he is. and yet it is but just and 
right to say that in all things his father has sought 
to fill the place thus vacated, and to do his utmost 
for his son's best and highest, interests. 



-wvv -^fcej^MS^S^** "I 



^gj^wnr**- w« 




ORNELIUS WOODLEY, Mayor of Tecum- 
seh, and Assistant Cashier of the Chamber- 
lain Banking House, came to this county in 
September, 1807. and cast his lot among its early 
pioneers. The greater portion of the country ad- 
jacent to the present nourishing city was wild and 
uncultivated, but Mr. Wood ley. believing in ils 
future prosperity, opened an office and engaged at 
once in real estate and insurance, in which In- has 
been mostly Interested since his residence here. 

Our subject was at, once recognized as a valua- 
ble and capable citizen, and the set 1 year of his 

resilience here was elected to the office of County 
Clerk, which position he held a period of four 
years. Subsequently he was elected Mayor, in 
which capacity he officiated several terms, w.-i- 
Chairman of the Board of Village Trustees, and 
prominent in the School Hoard. In fact he has 
been an office-holder most of the time for the last 
twenty years. In the organization of the First 
National Bank, in 1883, he was chosen Director and 
liter President. Politically, he advocates the prin- 
ciples of tin' Republican party, of which he has 
been a leading member in this county. He ha- 
accumulated a good property, owning a fine resi- 
dence on Jackson street, and Other real estate in the 
city. 

The subject of this sketch is (he son of Anthony 
Woodley, who "as born in l.\ coining County. Pa.. 



JL 



178 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4- 



and made his home nearly his entire life in the 
vicinity of his native place. Williamsport, Ly- 
coming County. He was mostly engaged in farm 
pursuits, and departed this life in 1*863, when 
about sixty-five years old. The wife and mother, 
Mrs. Hannah (Van Fleet) Woodley, was also a na- 
tive of the Keystone state, and with her husband a 
member in good standing of the Presbyterian 
Church. Her decease took plaee in 1862. Their 
family included nine children, six of whom lived to 
mature years. Of these five are living, making 
their homes mostly in the West. 

Mr. Woodley was born near the town of Hughes- 
ville, Lycoming Co., Pa., April 25, 1822. He 
there received his early education, but completed 
his studies at the White Deer Valley School. Upon 
approaching manhood he tirst engaged in farming, 
1 hi t subsequently learned blacksmithing, and busied 
himself at the anvil most of the time until 1863. 
lie had. however, in the meantime left his native 
State and taken up his residence in St. Paul. Minn., 
after traveling in the South and West. Later he 
spent his time mostly in St. Paul and Minneapolis, 
and in the latter city was quite extensively en- 
gaged for a period of fifteen years in the manu- 
facture of plows. His labors in this direction were 
very successful, and lie thus formed the basis of 
his present property. 

Mr. Woodley while a resident of Minneapolis 
was united in marriage with Miss Jane Sleight, 
who became the mother of one child, which died 
when six months old. Mrs. Woodley died at her 
home in Minneapolis in 1863. 



/ips& AMUEL MINER, a farmer in good circum- 
^^L stances and residing on section 7, in Lin- 
mJ_J(I coin Precinct, is a native of what is now 
Monongalia County, W. Va., and was born 
Nov. 5, 1830. His parents, Samuel and Mary A. 
(Knock) Miner, arc believed to have been also na- 
tives of the Old Dominion. 

When our subject was an infant of but three 
months his father was drowned in the Monongalia 
River, and the mother about two years later was 
married a second time, to Josiah Worley. They 



moved to Harrison County, Ohio, where our sub- 
ject grew to the age of six years. The parents 
then became residents of Knox County, Ohio. 
Samuel acquired a common-school education as 
good as any afforded by the schools of that day, 
but when leaving school did not abandon his study 
of useful and instructive books. By a steady course 
of reading alibis life, he has become generally well 
informed, and is as intelligent a citizen as he is a 
skillful farmer. 

In the fall of 1851 our subject left Ohio and set- 
tled in Fulton County, 111., where he began farm- 
ing and operating a threshing-machine, besides 
other employments by which he could make an 
honest dollar. In Illinois also he met his fate in 
the person of Miss Mary J. Holmes, to whom he 
was married Aug. 7, 1856. This lady was born 
in Fulton County, 111., July 13, 1838, and is the 
daughter of Thomas and Rachel A. (Dairy) Holmes, 
who were natives of Kentucky and West Virginia, 
and the father spent his last years in Illinois. The 
mother resides with her son in this county. The 
parental family consisted of eight children, all of 
whom are living. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Miner there were born eight 
children, one of whom, Sylvester, died in infancy. 
The survivors are: William O., Thomas F., Hardin 
W. ; Minnie G., the wife of Liberty Grant; James 
S., Archie R. and Charles S. 

In the spring of 1871, our subject having disposed 
of his Illinois property, gathered together his fam- 
ily and household effects, and equipped with two 
lumber wagons and five horses, started overland 
for Nebraska. They camped and cooked by the 
wayside, sleeping in their wagons at night, and af- 
ter a journey of eighteen days landed in Bedford 
Precinct, Nemaha County, where Mr. Miner pur- 
chased a tract of raw prairie land, upon which not 
a furrow has been turned, and upon which conse- 
quently were neither buildings nor fences. They 
sheltered themselves in their wagons until a dwell- 
ing could be erected, and our subject then com- 
menced energetically the improvement and cultiva- 
tion of his purchase. By incessant industry, the 
strictest economy and general good management, 
he built up a valuable farm, which he occupied 
until the spring of 1882. Then being able to sell 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



179 



4- 



at a good profit, he disposed of his farm property 
in Nemaha County and came to Lincoln Precinct, 

this count}', where lie has since resided. His farm 
here comprises 210 acres of fertile land under good 
cultivation, and lie lias, as before, been uniformly 
prosperous. 

Mr. Minor, politically, is a decided Democrat, 
and takes a genuine interest in the welfare of the 
people around him, being the friend of education, 
and the encourager of those enterprises calculated 
to advance the interests of the community. He is 
Moderator in his school district, and with his es- 
timable wife occupies an enviable position in so- 
cial circles. They are both active, intelligent, and 
held in high respect by their neighbors. 

—*> -#«#- •~~ 



|OBERT SMART is well known not only as 
a pioneer of Johnson County, but as the 
W\ founder of the pleasant and thriving town 
w|3) of Smartville, of which he is a highly hon- 
ored resident. He was born in England in March, 
1812, and was there reared and educated. Among 
the pleasant recollections of that period of his life 
is the friendship that existed between himself and 
the eminent novelist, Charles Dickens, with whose 
early years he was fully acquainted. 

When our subject was twenty-four years old he 
paid his first visit to the United States, in 1836, and 
gpent a year in Philadelphia, Pa. He then returned 
to England, and did not conic back to this country 
until IS 12, when he staid a short time in Philadel- 
phia, selling carpets and woolen goods for an En- 
glish firm. He then recrossed the Atlantic to his 
old home, and we do not hear of him in the United 
States again until 1851, when he came back to make 
a permanent stay. He Stopped for awhile amid the 
Alleghany Mountains of Pennsylvania, and finally 
his business attracted him to Pittsburgh, in the same 
Nt:ite. where he assisted in building the railway 
from there to Allegheny, and thence to Cresline, 
Ohio. He subsequently traveled for several years 
through the Southern States, until he located in Ne- 
braska in 1854. He spent nine years in Peru en- 
|!«ged in the milling business, but about twenty-five 
years ago he came to Johnson County, and turned 



his attention to fanning, improving a valuable farm 
adjoining the town, which still belongs to him. He 
was one of the first settlers of this part of the State, 
and has been a very important factor in developing 
Johnson County. He shrewdly foresaw the many 
advantages possessed by the present location of the 
village named in his honor for the site of a thriving 
and busy town, and with characteristic energy and 
enterprise he laid out the town in 1879, and has 
done all that lies in his power to advance its inter- 
ests. He induced the railway company to build a 
station here by presenting $200 toward its erec- 
tion, and in many other ways he has contributed 
toward the growth of the town. 

Mr. Smart was twice married. He was first mar- 
ried in England, in 183;"), to Miss Eliza Dunton, 
who died in the laud of her nativity in 1838. She 
..was a true woman in every sense of the word, and 
a devout member of the Episcopalian Church. One 
child was born of that marriage, Fannie, who mar- 
ried Lawson Cook, and subsequently died near Ne- 
braska City, leaving a husband and three children 
to mourn their loss, with many other friends. Mr. 
Smart's second marriage was to Mrs. Nancy Price, 
and she is still living, at the venerable age of eighty- 
nine years, to share his pleasant home. She has also 
been twice married, her first husband, to whom she 
was united in Kentucky when she was eighteen 
years old, having been Robert Price. They moved 
from their native State to Ohio some time after 
their marriage, but in the spring of 1856 they 
came to Nebraska to cast in their lot with its early 
pioneers, anil thus were among the first settlers of 
this part of the State. They located in Spring 
Creek, where Mr. Price took up some land with the 
intention of developing a farm. He was doing 
very well, and his prospects .if becoming a prosper- 
ous fanner were bright, when his useful career was 
cut short by his untimely death. 

The winter of 1856-57 was one long remembered 
by the early settlers of Nebraska as one of unex- 
ampled severity, and on the 11th of December. 
[856, Mr. Price and his son Stephen were frozen to 
death while on their way to a mill near Nebraska 
City. After the death of her husband Mrs. Smart 
still con! inued to live on the land that he had taken 
up. ami showed great ability in developing it into 
%> 



T 



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180 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



a fine farm. She sold from it the logs to build the 
first house in Tecumseh. But Mrs. Smart's claim 
to the high respect that is accorded to her by young 
and old does not rest solely on the fact that she was 
an early pioneer of Johnson County, but on her 
own good qualities as well. She has one son, John 
Price, who is a respected resident of this town. 
Mrs. Smart's grandson, James Price, son of Hans- 
ford and Permelia Trice, was the first white child 
born in Johnson County. He is now living in 
Smartville. 

Mr. Smart is a man whose sterling worth as well 
as his ability has brought him into prominence in 
tins part of the county, and he has hosts of friends. 
He is a deeply religious man, was brought up in the 
Episcopalian faith, and he is a communicant of that 
church. When the post-office was established in 
Smartville he was appointed Postmaster, which po- 
sition he still holds, much to the gratification of his 
fellow-citizens. 



f 



ffi OHN GOLDSBY. In the career of this well- 
to-do farmer of Western Precinct we behold 
. that of one of its oldest pioneers. He came 
(&gj/' to this section of country when Indians, 
deer, wolves and wildcats were numerous, and also 
saw a few specimens of the rare and graceful ante- 
lo{)e. Around him stretched a wild and unculti- 
vated prairie, eighty-five acres of which he secured, 
and lias transformed into a well-cultivated farm. 
This lies on section 13, and is provided with com- 
fortable buildings and the other appliances in keep- 
ing with industry and intelligence. Air. Goldsby 
has done a great deal of hard work, and in the af- 
fairs of his communit}' has been an honest and 
useful citizen, encouraging the projects calculated 
for its general welfare and progress. 

Our subject was born in Washington County, 
Ind., Jan. 28, 1821, and is the son of Briggs M. 
and Nancy (Solady) Goldsby, natives of Virginia 
and Kentucky, and now deceased. The parents 
some years after their marriage moved from Greene 
County, Ind.. to Illinois, settling in Clark County, 
where John attended school in a log cabin, the 



seats of which were made with boards pinned to the 
wall, and otherwise furnished after the primitive 
fashion of those days. The roof was of clapboards 
kept in place by weight-poles, and light was ad- 
mitted through holes cut in the logs, and covered 
with greased paper. His education was carried on 
mostly during the winter season, while in summer 
he assisted his father in the cultivation of the land 
and the building up of the homestead. He con- 
tinued under the parental roof until a man twenty- 
seven years of age. In 1847 he began to make 
preparations for an establishment of his own, and 
on the 2d of December, that year, provided him- 
self with one of its chief attributes, a wife, being 
united in marriage with Miss Matilda Summers. 

Mrs. Matilda Goldsby was born March 25, 1829, 
in Kentucky, and is the daughter of Matthew and 
Tabitha (Williams) Summers, who were natives of 
Kentucky, and the father now deceased. The 
mother is in Illinois. Our subject and his wife 
began the journey of life together in Illinois. They 
came to Nebraska in the spring of 18G6, settling in 
Western Precinct, upon the place which they now 
own and occupy, and have thus been residents here 
for a period of twenty-three 3'ears. They have now 
become widely and favorably known, and number 
their friends by the score in this county. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Goldsby there have been born 
eleven children, eight of whom are living, namely: 
Ellen, George, Mary, Rachel, Harriet, Albert, Ta- 
bitha and Andrew J. One son, Charles, died at 
his home in Kansas, in August, 1887, at the age of 
twenty-nine years, leaving a wife and three chil- 
dren. The other members of the family are resi- 
dents of Texas, Kansas and Nebraska. 

Mr. Goldsby, although taking the interest which 
every intelligent man feels in the affairs connected 
with his country's prosperity, has never sought 
office, considering his duty done when exercising 
the rights of the American citizens at the public 
elections. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
James K. Polk, and has since given his support to 
the Democratic party. His has been a long and 
interesting experience in the settlement of a new 
country, and he has watched with the keenest sat- 
isfaction the growth and prosperity of the now 
important State which at the time of his coming 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



183 




# T^ r 



here was but a Territory. In the building up of 
one of its most comfortable homesteads lie has in 
this manner contributed his quota toward bringing 
about the present condition of Johnson County. 



iKNJAMIN J. BAKER is a veteran of the 
Mexican War. who some years subsequently 
became a pioneer of Johnson County, and 
one of the first settlers in the precinct of 
Sterling, where he is still actively pursuing agri- 
culture, and has a large, well-improved farm on 
section 17. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa.. 
Sept. 17, 1820, but when he was eighteen months 
old his parents removed from his birthplace to 
Cumberland County, in the same State. He was 
there reared, and until twenty-five years of age 
made his home there. He then enlisted as a private 
in the United States Army, and served five years, 
having in the meantime been promoted to Ser- 
geant of Company D, 4th Artillery, under Capt. 
John M. Washington. He took part in the Mexi- 
can War. and was discharged at Ft, Brow, Tex., in 
1H50. He then returned to Pennsylvania and staid 
until the following spring, when he wended his way 
to Davenport, Iowa. From there he started the 
next fall, with four others, going down the Missis- 
sippi River to New Orleans, and by the Nicaragua 
route to the " Golden State." He was profitably 
engaged hi mining and farming there for some 
years, and at one time was employed at a salary of 
$100 a month as a foreman over other hands on a 
large ranch, whose owner raised 17,1)00 bushels of 
wheat one year. Mr. Baker staid in California 
nearly five years, and returned to his old home 
in Cumberland County. Pa., by way of New York, 
in the spring of 1856, and shortly after was united 
in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Montgomery, only 
chihl of William and Elizabeth Montgomery. 

Selecting Nebraska, then a wild and sparsely set- 
tled Territory, as the site of the future home they 
were to rear together, the genial, healthful climate. 
rich soil and other advantages of this prairie coun- 
try deciding their choice of a location, our subject 
and his bride started for their destination soon after 

their wedding, traveling by rail to Burlington, Iowa, 



the terminus of the railway. There Mr. Baker 
bought a team of horses and a wagon, with which 
they proceeded to within about I oo miles of the Mis- 
souri. At that point our subject traded his horses for 
three yokes Of oxen, with which they made the re- 
mainder of the lony and tedious journey, arriving 
on what is now known as the "Old Clark Farm," 
on section 31, two miles down the creek from Ster- 
ling. Mr. Baker and his wife staid there until the 
next spring, when he purchased his present place 
on section 17, to which they immediately removed. 
In the years that followed they experienced all the 
vicissitudes and hardships common to pioneer life 
in a wild, prairie country; but they patiently en- 
dured the absence of thecomforts, conveniences and 
luxuries that they had been used to in their old home, 
and the trials that they encountered but strength- 
ened their characters. It has been wisely stated that 
the experiences of such a life "after all make us 
belter fitted for the cares and responsibilities of 
after-life — make us have a warmer side for our fel- 
lowmen, and create in us a willingness to lend a 
helping hand to those who are in distress." This 
is eminently true of our subject and his wife, and 
their names arc synonyms of all love and charity, 
and many have cause to bless their benefactions. 
They have never had any children of their own 
blood, yet have reared three — Lydia Wagoner, 
August Rudy and Robert E. Krintz, giving them 
the advantages of a good home and a careful train- 
ing in the duties of life. Their adopted son Robert 
is still with his foster-parents. 

Mr. Baker now has his farm, comprising 240 
acres, well improved, and in one of the most com- 
fortable homes in the precinct he and his wife are 
spending their declining years in the enjoyment of 
a well-earned competence. Mr. Baker is a pleasant 
and entertaining conversationalist, and is fond of 
talking Over earlj days in Johnson County, when the 
Indians were plentiful hereabout, and used to fre- 
quently give him a call as they passed through the 
precinct; when deer, antelope and an abundance 
of wild game roamed at will over the uncultivated 
prairies. The nearest mill was at Nebraska City, 
many miles distant, and in the fall of 1857 Mr. 
Baker and two of his neighbors. Mr. Boot and 
Mr. McClure. made a trip thither, from which they 
•► 



i 



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184 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



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did not return with their "grists" until the end of 
nine days. They also did their trading and re- 
ceived their mail at Nebraska City. Mr. Baker has 
borne an honorable part in the public life of this 
district, was its first Justice of the Peace, and has 
since served as Assessor. He was prominently 
identified with the Grange when it existed lure. 
His estimable wife is a faithful member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. The portrait of this honored 
pioneer appears on an adjoining page of this Album. 

JUDGE JOHN WILSON, who is both County 
and Police Judge for Johnson County and 
Tecumseh City, enjoys the utmost confi- 
dence of the citizens, as a clear, synthetical 
thinker, and one who holds the balance of Justice 
with a steady hand, and for the same reason is held 
in wholesome fear by the wrong-doer. The father 
of this gentleman, William Wilson, was bora in 
Scotland in 1772, and there lived through the 
whole of his life. He was an able attorney and 
counselor-at-law and enjoyed a large practice in 
the city of Glasgow. His wife was Isabella Brown, 
of Argyleshire, to whom he was married in the 
year 1821). The subject of this sketch was their 
only child. Mr. Wilson died in 1847, after a life 
that had continued for seventy-five years. His 
wife had preceded him to the silent land in the 
vear 1832. He was an enthusiastic member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and with his wife, was a devout 
member of the Presbyterian Church. In addition 
to his town house he had an elegant country seat 
at Neithercroy. which is situated about eight miles 
east of the city, on the Glasgow & Edinburgh Rail- 
way. 

Isabella (Brown) Wilson, the mother of our sub- 
ject, was the daughter of Archibald Brown, and was 
born at Islav. in the county of Argvle, about 1794, 
where she made her home until her marriage. Her 
father was quite an extensive farmer, operating an 
extensive property upon the above Island where he 
was born. Islav. it will be remembered, lies adja- 
cent to the Island of Jura, and is almost the most 
westerly of the group of islands which are in- 
cluded in the above county. His wife was a mem- 
ber of the historic Campbell family. They brought 



up eleven daughters and two sons, all of whom en- 
tered honorable paths of life and when of proper 
age joined the Presbyterian Church, of which her 
father was an Elder for sixty years. This venera- 
ble and honored gentleman died at the advanced 
age of one hundred and eight years. 

Judge Wilson was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, 
Scotland, on the 27th of August, 1821. The 
Scotch schools have been justly renowned for the 
completeness of their curriculum and the thor- 
oughness of their instruction. Our subject was an 
attendant at the Glasgow schools and received a 
good education. Upon leaving the school he 
learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and 
after thoroughly mastering the same engaged in 
business as a contractor in that line. This he con- 
tinued to follow in Glasgow from 1845 to 1851. It 
was quite a lucrative business, and his success was 
very flattering to one who had so recently con- 
cluded his apprenticeship. 

The lady with whom our subject united his life 
was Miss Ellen Black, of Lesmore, Argyleshire. their 
nupitals being celebrated on the 22d of July, 1844. 
While in Scotland four children were given them. 
who brought additional brightness to their home, 
and if possible more completely cemented their 
union. Only two, however, of these children lived 
to come to America. Isabella and Catherine were 
laid away in a quiet Scottish graveyard, while John 
and Ellen were spared to their parents and in 
course of time accompanied them to this country. 
In 1851 Judge Wilson lauded in New York, and 
remained working at his trade until the following 
vear. He then sent for his wife and family and 
upon their arrival removed to Illinois, making his 
home at Galena, and being engaged as a carpenter 
by the Illinois Central Railway Company. lie 
continued to hold this position until the outbreak 
of the war. when hi' enlisted in defense of his 
adopted country, becoming a private in Company 
K. 12th Illinois Infantry. He was at Galena on the 
night of the 1 4th of April. L 861, when the order 
came from President Lincoln to raise (3,000 men. 
That was sufficient, and he was one of the first sixty 
who presented themselves for enlistment. The next 
morning the company was tilled out and the work 
of preparing them for the front was pushed with 



*•■ 



+^h+ 



JL 



4«- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



185 



u 



all speed. After quite a number of skirmishes and 
lesser conflicts had been engaged in he entered his 
tiist hard-fought hattle in February of 1862. He 
was wounded and taken prisoner at Ft. Donelson; 
he was lirst sent to Nashville Prison, afterward to 
Andersonville, Richmond, Lacoon, Tuscaloosa and 
Montgomery, being finally exchanged on the 17th 
of October of the following fall, having- been a 
prisoner for eight months and two days. He was 
then sent to the hospital at Annapolis, and re- 
mained there recruiting until the following March, 
when he rejoined his regiment at Corinth, Miss., 
where he went on an individual foraging detach- 
ment; from Corinth they went to Pulaski and 
thence to Chattanooga and on to Atlanta. Every 
day brought with it a conflict of greater or lesser 
moment. His last battle was on the 22d of July, 
1864, at Atlanta, where McPherson fell. On the 
1 lth of August following that engagement he was 
honorably discharged at that city and immediately 
set out for Galena. 

Upon returning home our subject settled up his 
affairs, and on the 28th of September, 1864, took 
up homestead No. 16K. lying in Helena Precinct, 
comprising 160 acres. He immediately moved 
thereon and began the work of improving it. lie 
erected good buildings and brought his land be- 
fore long to a good state of cultivation. This 
property he still owns. lie operated it on the line 
of general and stock farming, raising only the best 
grades of animals. lie remained upon that prop- 
erty until March, 1885, and then removed to the 
city, retiring from active farm life. During that 
time he had added another quarter-section and he 
is also the owner of a half -sect ion of very fine 
land in Webster County. 

When he moved into the city Judge Wilson pur- 
chased one of the best residences he could find and 
was ready for work. He was elected County Judge 
in November, 1885, and served acceptably to those 
who had placed him there. SO much so that they 
elected him for a second term, which is yet unex- 
pired; he was elected Police .Magistrate in April, 
1887, also represented this county in the Constitu- 
tional Convention held in Lincoln in 1871. He was 
Justice of the Peace of Helena Precinct for many 
years. In all these Offices he basso won the esteem 



and confidence of those with whom he has been 
connected therein that his continuance, re-election 
and appointment from time to time have simply 
been a natural effect and sequence. 

Since coming to this country Mr. and Mrs. Wil- 
son have had four children added to their family 
circle, but there have also been removals by death, 
so that now their son John alone survives; he is a 
rising and able lawyer. Mrs. Wilson is a very at- 
tentive and earnest, member of the Presbyterian 
Church, to which the Judge also is attached, 
though not a member. He is a liberal supporter of 
the same and takes great pleasure in aiding various 
enterprises connected therewith. He owns an ex- 
ceedingly fine residence on Lincoln street and also 
the farming property in this and Webster County, 
as above mentioned. An extract from a local pa- 
per remarks that '•Judge Wilson made his entry 
twenty-four years ago, and after fully searching the 
records the Judge says he believes his farm is the 
onPyone now owned in Johnson County by the per- 
son who made the original entry of the same date. 
The farm is in Center Precinct, eight miles north of 
Tecumseh." In the Masonic fraternity Judge Wil- 
son is quite prominent. He was raised to the Sub- 
lime Degree of a Master .Mason at Tecumseh in 
1867, and has since been initiated into the mys- 
teries of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and is 
affiliated with Furnas Chapter No. I), and the Council 
atTecumseh; is also Commander of the Little Phil 
Post No. 270, G. A. R. B$th in the fraternities, 
and society generally, and in the profession, Judge 
Wilson occupies a position most enviable, receiving 
every worthy regard and esteem. 

fiTJOHN McCONNKL. The merchants of Crab 
i Orchard have a worthy representative in the 
subject of this biographical epitome. Mr. 
McConnel was born in Washington County, 
Pa., on the 29th of May, 1854. The father, An- 
drew McConnel, now deceased, was a native of 
Ireland. He came to the United States when a 
young man, and located in Pennsylvania, where 
he was initiated into the mysteries of milling, with 
the idea of making it his business. He went to 



•Mr^ 



•►H*-* 



t 



186 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Rock Island County, 111., in L 861, arriving there 
on the 1st of April, having made the entire trip by 
boat. He settled upon a farm, anil in that county 
our subject was brought up; in its schools he was 
educated, attending both the common and High 
school, supplementing the instruction received in 
those institutions by a full course in the Commer- 
cial College of Bryant & Stratton, at Davenport, 
Iowa. 

In beginning life for himself the subject of this 
sketch took to farming and stock-raising, in which 
he was pre-eminently successful, but in the year 

1883 he sold his interest in this to the heirs of his 
father's property, and came to Crab Orchard, where 
he engaged in business, opening a grocery and 
drug store. In this he had a continued and grow- 
ing success until August of 1887, when he sold his 
drugs and laid in a large stock of dry-goods, cloth- 
ing, boots and shoes, gents' furnishing goods, jew- 
elry, etc., to which he has since added musical in- 
struments and sewing-machines. In order to meet 
the growing demands of his business, in the year 

1884 he built his uew store. It is a fine frame 
structure, standing 40x60 feet, and comprises two 
stories and basement. The lower part is required 
for his own store, while the upper is used for of- 
fices and an opera hall, the latter being 40x48 feet, 
with a ceiling elevation of thirteen feet, and capac- 
ity for 200 chairs. He carries a stock of about 
$8,000, aud his sales average $25,000 per annum. 
One reason for the large increase of trade is, that 
he is enabled to sell many articles cheaper than 
they can be found at either Beatrice or Tecumseh, 
and can duplicate any line of goods sold at either 

place. 

The 10th of March, 1886, was "a red letter day" 
in Mr. McConnel's experience, being that on which 
he celebrated his union in matrimonial bonds with 
Mary E. Ellis, daughter of Benjamin P. Ellis, of 
Vesta Precinct, this county. Of this union only 
one chihl has been born, lie was born at Crab 
Orchard Feb. 26, 1887, received the name of 
Herbert, and died March 22. L887. 

The mother of our subject before her marriage 
bore the name of Margaret Boyce, and is a daughter 
of Isaac Boyce. This lady was born in Allegheny 
County, Pa., and now lives in Reynolds, Bock Isl- 



and Co.. 111. Her marriage with Mr. Andrew Mc- 
Connel was fruitful in the birth of six children, 
three of whom survive. These are our subject, 
.Tames B. and Sarah I. Those deceased are: Jessie 
and Gertrude, twins, who died when quite small 
children; the other, Isaac, departed this life at the 
age of nineteen years. Mr. McConnel is promi- 
nent and enterprising as a business man, and no less 
so as a citizen. Although not a third party man, 
he is a stanch advocate of the temperance cause. 
For three years he filled with much satisfaction the 
office of School Treasurer, and for one year also 
that of School Director, which office he held at the 
time the school-house was built, aud had the hand- 
ling of the bonds. He has always been connected 
with the Republican party, and is a great admirer 
of its principles. Mrs. McConnel is one of the 
devout and highly esteemed members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and an active worker in that 
communion. 




I1ILIP DICKERSON, one of the earliest 

^| pioneers of Nebraska, homesteaded a tract 
of land on sections 31 and 32, in Todd 
Creek Precinct, this county, as early as 
1866. Here he has lived and labored for a period 
of twenty-two years, building up a good homestead 
from the uncultivated prairie, and acquitting him- 
self in a creditable manner as a member of the 
community. He has spent comparatively few idle 
days during the last, twenty years, most of which 
have been given to the development of his land, 
the planting of forest trees, the placing of fences 
and the erection of his farm buildings. He is at pres- 
ent engaged in stock-raising, keeping good grades of 
eattleand horses, giving particular attention to the 
latter, and proposes to still further enlarge his facili- 
ties for the I. reeding of the finer specimens of the 
equine race. 

Mr. Dickerson is a native of Guernsey County, 
Ohio, where he was born March 10, 1839, and there 
spent the first twenty-one years of his life. Later 
he was lor a period of six years a resident of 
Darke County, Ohio. He had in the meantime re- 
ceived a practical education, and become master of 



h 



* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



187 



the carpenter's trade, also at the same time gaining a 
good knowledge of general agriculture. When 
twenty-two years old he was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Charlotte Poyner, the wedding taking 
place at the home of the bride in Van Buren Town- 
ship, Aug. 22, 1861. Soon afterward Mr. anil 
Mrs. Dickerson came to Nebraska, ami settled upon 
the land which our subject now owns and occupies. 
His career has been creditable to him as a man and 
a citizen, and the fact that lie is highly spoken of 
by those who have known him intimately since the 
time of coming to this county is one of the best 
recommendations a man could desire. He has been 
upright and honorable in his business transactions, 
careful and conscientious, courteous and obliging, 
fulfilling every known duty to the best of his 
ability. 

Mr. Dickerson comes from a good family, being 
the son of Joshua I), and Elizabeth (Dawson) 
Dickerson, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
the father born in 1804. The latter lived with his 
parents in his native State until their removal to 
Ohio, and then assisted his father in the building 
up of a homestead from the wilderness of Guern- 
sey County. Later he settled on his own land, 
and continued a resident of the Buckeye State 
until the spring of I860, when he accompanied his 
son Philip to Nebraska, and settled on a tract of 
land adjoining him. In the fall of 1881 he re- 
moved to Texas, where his death took place in 
1884. The mother died in this county the year 
following their arrival here, in the fall of 1867. 
The father was a member of the Predestinarian 
Baptist Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson there 
have been born no children. 



... .--: ;- r - 



|>p— ~~33-§WW*»- 



*t 



JjULK'S WOLFF is widely known in many 
j parts of the West as one of the most noted 
divines of the German Lutheran pulpit, lie 
' is veiy active in denominational work, pos- 
sessing great executive ability, wonderful tact, and 
infinite patience, traits that are shown in the fad 
that he has probably organized more Lutheran 
Churches in different Western States than any of 



his brethren of like faith. He combines strength 
of character, an indomitable will and shrewdness, 
with sincerity, and a kind heart that prompts him 
to attempt to alleviate the sufferings of the weak. 
the unfortunate and the downtrodden. He is now 
engaged in the double capacity of teacher and 
preacher in the church which he organized in Ster- 
ling Precinct some yeats ago, besides successfully 
managing his farming interests here. 

Our subject was born in Germany, Jan. 30, 1823, 
and was reared, educated, and also married in the 
Fatherland, Caroline Land wig becoming his wife 
Jan. 2, 1850. Mr. Wolff taught school for twenty- 
one years in his" native country, and then turned 
his face to the United States in 1863, and after 
landing on these shores, accompanied by his wife, 
he located in Minnesota. He was engaged in teach- 
ing there for twelve years, and he also preached, 
and while a resident of that State organized eight 
churches. He came to Nebraska in 1876, having 
spent a year before that in traveling, and located 
in Dodge County. In 1877 Mr. Wolff came to 
Johnson County, and purchased 160 acres of land, 
which constitutes his present farm, on which he and 
his family live very pleasantly. He continued, how- 
ever, in the ministry, and as a teacher, conducting 
a school in the church which was established in this 
township under his supervision in 1888, with a 
membership of thirty-four. Under his minis- 
trations the church has prospered spiritually ami 
financially, and has been enabled to buy a house in 
which to worship and forty acres of land, and there 
is a line Sunday-school connected with the church. 
Mr. Wolff has also been instrumental in organizing 
three other churches since he came to Nebraska, 
all of which are in a flourishing condition. A- a 
teacher Mr. Wolff has acquired a good reputation, 
and is giving general satisfaction. He is well edu- 
cated, and has fine literary tastes. 

Our subject has been twice married. The patient 
and devoted wife, to whom he had been united in 

early manh 1 in the Fatherland, died during their 

residence in Dodge County in 1876, after a wedded 
lite of twenty-Six years. Shi' was a true Christian, 
and in every respect, a most exemplary woman, 
whom to know was to esteem. Mr. Wolff's mar- 
riage to his present excellent wife took place ID 



f* 



188 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Hr 



1878. She was formerly Mrs. Catherine Breiden- 
stein, and was the mother of three children. Our 
subject has a family of three children by bis pres- 
ent marriage, but had none by his former marriage. 
Five of the children are at home, while the other is 
working on a farm. 



*t 



GEORGE D. BENNETT. Cashier of the Te- 
-, cumseh Savings Bank, and identified with 
^J that enterprise from the time of its organi- 
zation, is the son of Abel B. Bennett, who was born 
at Bridgeport on the 12th of December, 1833, and 
there educated and brought up, after which he 
engaged in stock buying. He left his native town 
and went to Bronson, Branch Co., Mich., while yet 
a young man, and engaged in farming and stock 
raising, feeding and dealing. About 1863 he sold his 
Michigan property and interests, and went to La- 
grange County, Ind., where he has a finely improved 
and extensive farm, and is engaged with slock as 
before. The maiden name of his wife, the mother 
of our subject, was Mary A. Dryer, of Lagrange- 
Four children have been born to them who still 
live. Mrs. Bennett also is living, and with her hus- 
band is enjoying the prosperity which is the result 
of toil in the past years. This lady was born at 
Catskill, N. Y., in the year 1836, to Darius and 
Clarissa (Rogers) Dryer. They moved West to 
Indiana, where they made their home until their 
death. Their daughter Mary resided with them 
until the time of her marriage. Her husband has 
filled most of the township offices, is an esteemed 
member of the I. O. O. F., and also a prosperous 
and successful farmer and business man. 

Wildman Bennett, the grand father of our subject, 
was born in Lincolnshire, England. As a young 
man he came to America, settled at Bridgeport, and 
married Miss Nichols of that place, and to them 
were born eleven children. He removed to Branch 
County, Mich., where quite a large number of his 
descendants still reside. After sixty-three years of 
life he passed to his last rest from his home in that 
place in the year 1865, having survived his wife 
about five years. They had both been stanch mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church, in which faith his family- 



had been instructed from earliest years. This gen- 
tleman and his family were among the first to settle 
in Blanch County. 

George D. Bennett was born on Jackson Prairie, 
four miles south of Orland, in Steuben County, Ind., 
on the 17th of August, 1 859. He received his 
early education at Wolcottville and Lagrange, 
where he completed the full course as then pre- 
scribed, and was graduated, after which he taught 
school for two years, returning at the end of that 
time to join his father in cattle-dealing, which he 
continued for three years most successfully. In 
1880 he came to Beatrice, and was engaged in the 
eastern part of Gage County raising fine stock of 
select breeds and high grade. Selling there he went 
to Crab Orchard, and for two years was in the bank 
at that place. After that he came to Tecumseh, in 
June, 1884, and has since made it his permanent 
residence. 

Mr. Bennett occupies a very high position in the 
business world, and is also much esteemed by the 
community at large. In Crab Orchard he filled the 
position of Assistant Cashier. Here there were no 
offices except in the savings bank, where Mr. Ben- 
nett is. He is a gentleman of undoubted business 
ability, honor and integrity, and being compara- 
tively young the future is spread before him glow- 
ing with the brightness of his prospects. He is 
abundantly capable, should he so desire, of occupy- 
ing the most prominent position his ambition might 
lead him to seek, and also has manhood enough to 
enable him to retain his balance and high personal 
character while holding the same. 

Our subject is a member of the Masonic and I. 
■O. O. F. fraternities, and also of the Modern 
Woodmen of America; also of the Odd Fellows' 
Encampment, and has served as Senior Deacon in 
the Masonic Lodge, as Secretary in the Chapter, 
and holds the high degree of a Knight Templar. 
We cull the following from a recent issue of the 
Chieftain, without which this sketch would be en- 
tirely incomplete: "On Thursday evening, Sept. 
27, 1888, a pleasant ceremony was performed at 
the residence of the Hon. C. A. Holmes. The 
occasion was the marriage of George D. Bennett to 
Althea, eldest daughter of the above-mentioned 
gentleman. The nuptials were celebrated at 8 P. M., 



r 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



189 , , 



4 



at which the Rev. M. J. DeLong took the initiative. 
There was quite a large gathering of the friends 
and relatives of the family, all of whom brought 
with them some expression of the good wishes and 
congratulations that might be remembered after 
the vocal expression of them had passed. Later in 
the evening the happy couple were driven to their 
new home on Upper Third street, which the groom 
had pro.vided and arranged in keeping with their 
joint desires." The readers of tins volume, especially 
those personally acquainted with our subject and 
wife, will certainly not be behind the friends gath- 
ered on that auspicious occasion in their desire for 
a bright and happy future for them. 

Lts KNHY C. CARMAN ami bis family came 
to this county in the spring of 1876, Settling 
' at their present farm on section is in spring 
•JggJ) Creek Precinct. The land was little re- 
moved from its primitive condition, and the fam- 
ily were first Settled in a dug-out bouse, and for a 
number of seasons lived and labored in true pio- 
neer style. Mr. ('. paid $10 per acre tor bis farm, 
which has. under bis wise management and inces- 
sant industry, more than doubled in value, and 
yields bountifully of the richest crops of Southern 
Nebraska. 

Our subject has been prominent in the affairs of 
his precinct, especially for the last ten years, serv- 
ing as ( (instable and .lust ice of the Peace two years, 
and holding various other positions accorded the 
trustworthy citizen, lie votes the straight Repub- 
lican ticket, and is a! presenl the School Treas- 
urer of his district. Both he and bis estimable wile 
have taken an active interest in the advancement 
and welfare of their community, being kind, hos- 
pitable and public-Spirited, and encouraging the 
projects calculated to elevate the standard of edu- 
,:ii ion and morality. 

Mr. Carman, in addition to general agriculture. 
i~ especially interested in live stock, keeping good 

grades Of cattle and swine. lie is essentially a 
Western man. having been bom in .Mason County, 
111., .lime 9, 1844. His parents, Libni and Eliza- 
beth (DeVall) Carman, were natives of New York, 



where they were reared, educated and married, and 
where they became the parents of a large family of 
children, of whom the following survive: Julia, 
the wife of Jacob GarrisS, of Logan County. Kan.; 
Solomon, of Fremont County, Iowa; Sarah E., Mrs. 
Wilkerson, also of that county, and a widow; 
Henry ('., of this sketch, and Mary, the wife of 
John L. Spicer, of Fremont County. Iowa. The 
father was a second time married, the only child of 
this union being a daughter, Annie. 

Lilmi Carman left the Empire State about fifty 
years ago. and from Illinois, about 1855. changed 
his residence to Fremont County, Iowa, settling 
among its earliest pioneers, and residing there 
until his death, which occurred June 15, 1888. He 
was successful in his labors as an agriculturist, 
and left a large estate to his heirs. He was a 
Republican in politics, probably from the time 
of the organization of the county, and a man lib- 
eral and public-spirited, one who interested him- 
self in the welfare of the people about him, con- 
tributing of his time and means, as opportunity 
afforded, in the advancement of education, and all 
other projects tending to their moral and religious 
welfare. The mother died in Fremont County, 
Iowa, in April, 1869. 

The subject of this sketch received but a limited 
education, but at an early age became strong of 
muscle and self-reliant in disposition, and by a 
course of general Heading familiarized himself with 
the important topics of the day. He was early im- 
bued with the principles of patriotism by his hon- 
ored father, and shortly after the outbreak of the 
Rebellion proffered his services as a Union soldier. 
enlisting, in the spring of 1861, in Company 1). 
5th Missouri Cavalry, which became a part of the 
Western Army and operated largely among the 
bushwhackers. Young Carman participated in a 
number of engagements, meeting the enemy at Line 
Springs and on the Little Blue, acquitting himself 
creditably, ami receiving an honorable discharge 

in June. 1862, at the expiration of lii> ter f en- 

li.-t nient. 

After becoming a civilian again. Mr. Carman re- 
turned to Fremont County, Iowa, and prepared to 
establish a home of his own. With this end in 
view he was married. July 12. 1863, to Miss Emma 



•r 



t 



190 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Hh 



I. Jones, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, 
July 18, 184(5. They spent the first fourteen years 
of their wedded life in Iowa, and from there came 
to this county, as already stated. They are the 
parents of six children, four of whom are living, 
namely: Marcus II., Lucy C, Etta L. and John L. 
William II. and Ami died when two and a half 
years and six months old respectively. 



— !•*& 



<I^ AVID J. WILSON is widely and favorably 
))) known as a successful fanner and stock- 
(CiM^ raiser in tu ' s county. His property is situ- 
ated on section 5, township G north, and 
range 11 east, Helena Precinct. He is a son of 
John and Mary Wilson, natives of New York State, 
where he also was born, on the 25th of August, 1826, 
in Cayuga County, and was one of eight children 
who comprised the home circle. Of these five are 
living, whom we name as follows: William, now re- 
siding with our subject; Chloe, who was married to 
the late John Mitchell, of Tompkins County, N. Y. ; 
David J.; John J., also of Helena Precinct; Mary 
J., the wife of Samuel C. Branch, of Cayuga County, 
N. Y. Those deceased were named Saphronia, Sam- 
uel and Sarah L. 

Until he attained his majority the subject of our 
sketch continued to live in his native county. His 
education was received in the district schools, and 
later he was a regular worker on the farm. In 18G5 
he went to California, where he traveled and pros- 
pected for about a year. Coining to Nebraska in 
1867 he was taken with the fine prospects, excel- 
lent condition and situation offered in this county, 
and purchased 160 acres of land, the same on which 
he now resides. He staid first for about two years, 
and then traveled for about five in a camp wagon 
to and from the Black Hills, Dak., to Nebraska 
City, and also to Kansas, having had three ranches 
at different points in the latter State. 

Our subject effected permanent settlement on his 
Johnson County property in 1878, and since that 
time has devoted himself to the work of making it 
one of the finest farms in the county, in which he 
has been more than successful. He represents the 
busy, bustling, intelligent and thrifty pioneers of 

< ■ 



the State, and to this doubtless is due the magnificent 
results that have attended his work. He and his 
brother William own over 800 acres of land in 
partnership; 100 acres of it is in this and the re- 
mainder is in Otoe County. 

Upon the 15th of April. 1877, Mr. Wilson and 
Sarah E. Campbell, of Iowa, were united in wed- 
lock. She was born in Fremont County, Iowa, on the 
27th of February, 1861, and is a daughter of Adam 
and Sarah Campbell. Her parents, who were natives 
respectively of Missouri and Kentucky, are now 
residing in Norton County, Kan., where her father 
is engaged in stock-raising. Their marriage has 
been fruitful in the birth of three children: Bill, 
who, was born Feb. 12, 1878; Doc, July 9, 1879, 
and Chloe, Feb. 21, 1887. 

The subject of our sketch has been identified 
with the School Board of his district for several 
years, and being deeply interested in educational 
matters and in the welfare of the rising generation 
of citizens, has done excellent service. In politics 
he is a Republican, and in the fraternities is recog- 
nized as an efficient member of the I. O. O. F. 

William Wilson, the brother of our subject, men- 
tioned above, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., 
on the 21st of September, 1819, and continued to 
make his residence there until 1878, since which 
time he has lived in this county, and has grown up 
with the county, and is now one of the well-to-do 
citizens and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers. 
In politics he also is a stanch Republican, and is a 
very active member of the community, more es- 
pecially so when any projector enterprise is on foot 
that looks to the advancement of the general social 
interests. 



WILLIAM R. COLLINS, who settled in the 
county a pioneer farmer, is the owner of 
a valuable property, comprising 100 acres 
on section 18, township 6 north, range 12 east. 
He is a native of Beaver County, Pa., and was 
born near Beaver on the 25th of December, 1835. 
His parents, Samuel and Eliza R. (Cole) Collins, 
were born in the city of Charleston, S. C. Upon 
the father's side our subject is of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent. Grandfather Cole was the owner of an ex- 



T* 



«*•■ 



** 



t- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



191 ' 



-t 



tensive plautation in that .State, and operated the 
same by negro slaves. There were four children 
besides our subject born to his parents, viz.: Mar- 
tha, who is the wife of Joseph Warner, of Crawford 

County, Pa.; Samuel, who is believed to be living 
in Kansas; also Maria and Josephine, who are de- 
ceased. 

The childhood of our subject was clouded by 
the death of his father, thus depriving him of 
many opportunities and helps in his start in life. 
At the early age of fourteen he felt it incumbent 
upon him, as the eldest child of the family, to do 
what he could toward its support, and accord- 
ingly became watchman on a Mississippi River 
steamboat, his duties being to trim the lights, call 
passengers getting on and off, and so on, besides 
numerous other duties of a similar nature. After 
a number of years of such work, running between 
St. Louis and New Orleans, he became capable of 
almost any work or duties in connection with the 
boats, and was counted among the old veteran 
river hands. He was for the greater part of the 
time upon the " Cora Anderson." This boat was 
snagged and sunk about a year before the close of 
the war; it occurred at Milligan's Bend, about 
twenty-five miles above Vicksburg. It was dur- 
ing the same season that the "Antelletta" was sunk 
at Commerce. Our subject was upon the latter 
boat at the time. He left the river and his occupa- 
tion upon the boats about the year 1804, and, 
going to Mason County, 111., engaged in farming- 

Our subject continued agricultural life in Mason 
County until the year 1870. During that time he 
rented the property he operated. Then he came 
to Johnson Count}', and took up a homestead claim 
of 100 acres, being that he still owns. It was at the 
time entirely uncultivated prairie land, of small 
value. What it is to-day in productiveness and 
fertility he has made it by patient perseverance, con- 
tinued effort and excellent management. He had 
to meet all those trying difficulties and unpleasant 
experiences inseparable from frontier life, but has 
been proud to see his adopted State taking such 
magnificent strides to the front place among the 
States, and to know that every day of his pioneer 
life has been a help to that grand result. 

The 28th of August, 1872, is a day worthy of 



recollection with our subject, as that whereon he 
was united with Mrs. Phoebe A. Clapp, widow of 
William Clapp, and daughter of Samuel and Ro- 
zetta Brott. This lady was born in Ohio, Sept. 
2."). 1814. She received careful home training, anil 
such education as was within the power of her par- 
ents to obtain for her. By this union our subject 
is the parent of one daughter, Aberrilla. By her 
first marriage Mrs. Collins is the mother of three 
children, viz.: Elvira, the wife of William Stub- 
blefield, of Greene County, III.; Mary J., who is 
married to Peter Kutscher, of Holt County, Neb. ; 
and Rosa C, who died when about eighteen years 
of age. 

Our subject enjoys the confidence and regard of 
his fellow-citizens, and has frequently been ap- 
proached with a view to his acceptance of some 
public trust, but he has always preferred to con- 
tinue the quiet but busy home life. Politically, he 
is a firm believer in Democratic principles. Relig- 
iously, both he and his wife are at home within the 
membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and are there, as elsewhere, most favorably re- 
garded by all. 

^p^EORGE C. POTTER, a resident of the city 
(If ^—^ of Sterling, was for many years one of the 
^^j foremost preachers of the denomination of 
United Brethren in Christ, and is well known in 
different parts of the West, where he has traveled 
in the interests of his church. He was a revivalist 
of much note, and was very successful in his work, 
organizing a number of chinches, and was the means, 
in the hands of his Master, of bringing many 7 souls 
to Christ. He was a man of unwonted energy and 
force of character, and so zealous was he in the 
cause he loved SO well that his health gave way 
beneath the constant strain, and he was obliged to 
abandon the pulpit on account of a bronchial 
affection, although he still retains his ministerial 
standing. 

Mr. Potter was born Oct. 14, 1829, in Washing- 
ton County, N. Y., his parents being Elisha and 
Maiiah C. (Page) Potter. Mis mother was a niece 
of the illustrious Gov. Clinton, of New York, and 




•►Hf^ 



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192 



JOHNSON COUNTY 



' ' 1 



her grandfather, John Page, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, and died at the advanced age 
of ninety-six years. Our subject passed the years of 
his boyhood in his native State, but when he was 
sixteen years old his parents went to live in Chicago, 
111., and five years later they crossed the Mississippi, 
and in Fayette County, Iowa, made their home 
until death summoned them to the better world, 
the father dying at the age of sixty-five, and the 
mother, who died one year ago, dying at the ven- 
erable age of eighty- eight. 

Our subject removed with li is parents to Iowa, 
and when he was twenty-two years old he felt a call 
to enter the ministry of the United Brethren 
Church, and from thenceforth he consecrated his 
life to Christ's work, tie went out into the world 
as a revivalist to preach the Gospel as it is inter- 
preted by his church, and he soon became a power 
in his denomination, and in his itinerant wanderings 
to and fro among God's people his earnest and 
burning words led many to seek to lead a better 
life. He was a welcome visitor in many a house- 
hold, to whose inmates he brought the comforts of 
the Gospel, and by his eloquence and zeal he 
gathered the people together in various places, and 
founded churches, many of which are standing 
monuments of his faithful work in those long 
twenty years that he was active in the ministry. 
As we have before mentioned, he was at length 
obliged to retire to private life, and in 1887 he 
came to Sterling that he might be benefited by the 
dry, salubrious and healthful climate of Nebraska. 
Although he is still possessed of much of his old 
fervor, and woidd like to be an active worker in 
the vineyard, yet he is resigned to his lot, and 
quietly does what good he can while awaiting the 
Master's call to a higher and nobler life. Soon 
after coining here he connected himself with the 
Methodist Church, there being none of his denom- 
ination represented here. 

The Rev. Mr. Potter was united in marriage to 
Miss Margaret M. Andrews.'Oct. 21, 1841), and to 
her encouragement and sympathy in his work he 
has been greatly indebted for a successful ministry. 
Their marriage has been blessed to them by the birth 
of eight children, all of whom are living, namely: 
Edna J., now Mrs. M. L. Snyder, of Oxford, Neb.; 



Lucy A., Mrs. A. L. Wells, of Spirit Lake, Iowa; 
May, Mrs. George Lawrs, of Omaha; George P., 
who lives in this city; Frank M., who married Miss 
Kittie Rife, and lives in this city; Mamie, Mrs. II. 
Buck, of Fall River County, Dak.; Mabel B. and 
Maud, who are at home with their parents. 

Mr. Potter does not mingle much in political 
life, or seek office, but he upholds the policy of the 
Republican party, believing it to be the best by 
which to guide National affairs. 



\f OIIN I). SCHUMANN, of Lincoln Precinct, 
is comfortably located on his farm of eighty 
acres comprising a portion of section 9, 
(©/ where he settled in the pioneer days, in the 
summer of 1870. His neighbors were few and far 
between, and he battled with the various difficulties 
of life in a new settlement for a series of years, 
then began to reap the reward of his persevering 
industry. He has now a finely improved farm, with 
suitable buildings, and all the accessories of the 
modern country home. 

Our subject was cradled on the other side of the 
Atlantic, in the Province of Ilolstein, Germany, 
where his birth took place July 17, 1841. His par- 
ents were John and Elsaba (Brandt) Schumann, 
who were also of German birth and ancestry, and 
who. when our subject was a lad ten years of age, 
emigrated to America, taking passage in 1851 on a 
sailing-vessel at the port of Hamburg, embarking 
March 15, and landing in New Orleans on the 8tb 
of June following. From the Crescent City they 
boarded a Mississippi steamboat, which conveyed 
them to Davenport. Iowa, where they sojourned 
about six months. Thence they removed to Rock 
Island County. 111., where the father engaged in 
farming, and where John I ). was reared to man- 
hood. 

Our subject received but a limited education, but 
was trained in habits of industry and economy, and 
by readingas he has had opportunity, has kept him- 
self fairly well posted upon the leading events of the 
day. Like his father before him. he chose farming 
for bis occupation, and continued a member of the 
parental household until 1875. He was married 



=f 



-If*- 



♦HMi 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



193 



rather late in life, when thirty-four years of age, 
Feb. 27. is;."), to Miss Sarah 1-;. Rickle. The mar- 
riage took place in Henry County. 111. Mrs. Schu- 
mann was horn in Wayne County, Ohio, Jan. 19, 
1851, and of her anion with our sub jecl there isone 
child, a son, Oliver R., who was horn July 16, 
1879. 

Mr. Schumann, in the summer of L870, crossed 
the Mississippi the second time and took up a tract 
of land, eighty acres in extent, in Lincoln Precinct, 
this county, of which he has since been a resident. 
He built up his homestead upon primitive soil, and 
was fairly prosperous from the start. It has taken 
years of labor, and involved an outlay of thousands 
of dollars to bring his homestead to its presentcon- 
dltion, hut he considers the time and money well 
spent. He has become thoroughly identified with 
the interests of his adopted country, votes the 
straight Democratic ticket, and is a School Director 
in his district. 

During the second }'ear of the war Mr. Schumann 
enlisted, Aug. 15, 1862, in Company K. 129th Illi- 
nois Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of 
the Tennessee, and the regiment mostly engaged 
guarding railroads and bridges in Kentucky and 
Tennessee, principally along the line of the Louis- 
ville and the Nashville Railroads. On account of 
exposure and hardship Mr. Schumann suffered 
greatly from erysipelas, hut bravely stood at his 
pOSl and remained with his comrades until after the 
close of the war, receiving his discharge on the 3d 
of July, 1865. 

~» «£»*> ^~ 




•►*♦ 



iUFUSHOWE. The people who settled in 
Johnson County during its earlier days 
gathered here from all points of the com- 
^ilpass. The subject of this sketch, a well-to- 
do farmer of "Western Precinct, first opened his 
eyes to the light near the city of Toronto, Canada. 
Feb. 23, 1851. He is of New England ancestry, 
his father, Rufus Howe, having been a native of 
Vermont, and the son of Orson Howe, a second 
cousin of the noted Elias Howe, inventor of the 
celebrated sewing-machine which bears his name. 
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was 



Evaline Miller. She was horn in Connecticut, and 
is now deceased. Rufus Howe spent his last years 
in Illinois, and died about 1857. 

Orson Howe, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was very much like his cousin Elias in 
point of mechanical genius. At the time of his 
death he had been working on a knitting-machine, 
aiming to effect greater improvements, in hopes 
that it might- he made available in time to come. 
He spent his last years in Illinois. The children 
of Rufus and Evaline (Miller) Howe, the parents 
of our subject, consisted of a son and daughter. 

The parents of our subject left the Dominion in 
1854, and settled in Ashtabula County, Ohio, 
where the father carried on merchandising un- 
til 1857, when the family moved to Kankakee 
Count}', 111., where commenced the early educa- 
tion of our subject. He was a bright and studi- 
ous lad, fond of his books, and making good 
headway, entered Eureka College after having at- 
tended the High School at Monticello, Iowa, and 
the academy at Onargo, 111. Having become an 
orphan early in life he was thrown upon his own 
resources, and paid his way through the academy 
and college by teaching. 

In the fall of 1881 Mr. Howe crossed the Missis- 
sippi to Cedar County, Iowa, where be engaged in 
general work until the spring of 1883, at which 
time he made his preparations for settlement in 
Nebraska, and soon afterward took possession of 
the homestead where he now resides. He was 
married in Knox County, 111., Dee. 24, 1876, to 
Miss Louisa, daughter of Thaddeus Olmsted, of 
Maquon. Of this union there was horn one child 
only, Elizabeth E., who died Sept. 8, 1888, aged 
three years and six months. Little Bessie, as she 
was called, was a remarkably bright and interesting 
child, and her death was a severe blow to the 
stricken parents, in which the}' received the sym- 
pathies of the entire community. 

Mrs. Howe was horn March 30, 1853, in Knox 
County, 111., and is the sister of Dr. Theodore Olm- 
sted, who, in addition to his otherwise lucrative 
practice, is physician for the Central Illinois and 
the Southern Pacific Railroad Companies. He was 
for two years an assistant of the noted Dr. Lane, 
President of Cooper Institute, and conductor of 



•+ZT+ 



•>— lf^ 



«•■ 



104 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



h 




clinics in that institution. Mrs. Howe is a lady of 
good education, having pursued her studies in 
Maquon, 111., and in Eureka College. Both she 
and her husband are members in good standing of 
the United Brethren Church. Their farm includes 
eighty acres of good land, with the necessary 
buildings and machinery, besides the other appli- 
ances in keeping with the complete rural home. 
They are recognized as among the intelligent peo- 
ple of the county, wherein they number a large 
circle of friends. 

HARLES 1'.. SMITH, the well-known furni- 
ture dealer of Crab Orchard, was born in 

<^? Licking County.* >hio, on the 28th of April, 
1826. He is the son of Greenleaf and Lettice 
Smith, who were natives of Maine and Pennsyl- 
vania respectively. His parents migrated to Stark 
County, 111., in 1829, settling there when almost 
their only neighbors were the redskins and ani- 
mals native to that section of county. The nearest 
market was Peoria, thirty miles distant from their 
house, which was, however, not the Peoria of to- 
day, as may be well imagined. They were pio- 
neers indeed, and encountered hardships and ditli- 
culties that far surpassed those of the settlers in 
new countries in this decade. To obtain meal they 
mashed corn in a homing-block, and bolted it 
through a buckskin sieve. From Ibis they made 
their bread. 

In the little pioneer school-bouse, a mere log 
cabin, with split-log scats, puncheon floor, flat- 
board roof and oiled-paper window, our subject 
obtained bis schooling. It was just about enough 
to give him an appetite for more, and this he has 
continued in the endeavor to satisfy by general 
reading upon a large range of subjects, so that he 
is by no means uninformed upon general topics. 
He was married, on the 21st of September. 1848, 
to Sarah .1. Snyder, whose father. William Snyder, 
emigrated to Stark County, 111., from Richland 
County, Ohio. Our subject has become the par- 
ent of live children, three of whom are still living, 
viz.: Chloe M.. now Mrs. Thatcher, who has four 

children of her own — Nellie. Fannie. Fred and 
«» 



Orrie; the remaining two children of our subject 
are Edgar and Funest. who reside in Ilieo, Hamil- 
ton Co., Fix. 

The subject of our sketch came to Lincoln in the 
spring of L872, and visited various parts of the 
State during the summer, and in October was 
joined by his wife. They spent the winter in Te- 
cumseh, and settled where Crab Orchard now 
stands in the spring of 18*3. "When the town be- 
gan to spring up he built the first business house, 
and it was occupied as a hardware store by F. M. 
Sharrett. Mr. Smith engaged in his present busi- 
ness in duly of 1886. Previous to that he had been 
working at the carpenter's trade, which he had 
learned as a young man. He was well schooled in 
the use of the various tools employed in that busi- 
ness, and having a general idea of mechanics was a 
skilled workman. His present business has grown 
most favorably, and is upon a firm basis. 

The character sustained by Mr. Smith in the 
community, and the reputation he enjoys, are quite 
enviable, and as a result he is held in high regard. 
He is a strong Republican, and a firm friend to 
every enterprise which promises benefit to the 
community. Although not a Prohibitionist he is 
an earnest advocate of temperance, and always has 
been. 






jl/r^OBERT L. PENCE, editor and proprietor of 
]|L^f the Crab Orchard Eagle, founded this 
lk> W, journal in the summer of 1888, and consid- 
^^ering the brief time since its establishment, 
it is already in the enjoyment of a fine patronage, 
especially in advertising. The circulation is rap- 
idly increasing, the paper being an independent 
and newsy sheet, having little to do with politics, 
but being devoted to the interests of this section 
of Johnson County. It is essentially a paper for 
the people, one in which all may take an interest, 
and which aims to serve all alike. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Henderson 
County, III., April 13, 1864. His father, Robert 
T. Pence, a native of Indiana, is a farmer by occu- 
pation, and at the present time a resident of Park- 
field, Monterey Co., Cal. Robert, upon leaving the 
common schools, pursued his studies in the Western 
« » 



<- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



195 



Normal College and the Commercial Institute at 
Shenandoah, Iowa. He then experimented as a 
teacher one term, and in the winter of 1884—85 
came to Dundy County, this State, and pre- 
empted 120 acres of land near Benkleman. In the 
fall of that year he took up his residence at Palis- 
ade, Hitchcock County, founded the Palisade 
Journal, conducted it eighteen months, then estab- 
lished the Frenchman Valley Times in the same 
place. This he sold in the summer of 1888, and 
changing his residence to Crab Orchard, began the 
publication of the Eagle. He evidently has a true 
conception of what a local journal should be, and 
his management of the Eagle is creditable to him- 
self and satisfactory to its patrons. 

Mr. Pence, while a resident of Palisade, was 
united in marriage with Miss Jennie Lamed, March 
29, 1886. Mrs. Pence was born in January, 18G7, 
in Illinois, and is the daughter of Hiram and Abbie 
Lamed, who were natives of Massachusetts, and 
are now deceased. Of her union with our subject 
there is one child, a son, Robert L., Jr., born April 
3, 1887. Our subject and his family occupy a 
snug home in the central part of town, and during 
their brief residence here have already made hosts 
of friends. They are members in good standing of 
the Baptist Church, and favorites in the social 
circle. 



JffiA HARLES W. ROBERTS, a resident of Crab 
< II Orchard, is employed as clerk in McConnel's 
^^/ store, and is one of the must enterprising bus- 
iness men of this community. He came to this 
county in L869, settling first in Vesta Precinct. 
where he carried on fanning. Subsequently sell- 
ing out his interests there he returned to his old 
haunts in Illinois, and remained there two vcars 
without engaging in any regular occupation. At 
the expiration of this time he once more crossed 
the Father of Waters and settled on a farm in West- 
ern Precinct, where he carried on agriculture un- 
til the fall of 1884. 

Upon leaving tin 1 farm Mr. Roberts invested a 

portion Of his capital in a stock of furniture, but 
eighteen months later abandoned this business and 



for a time was engaged as clerk in the grocery store 
of Mr. McConnel, in Crab Orchard. He and his 

excellent wife are people of note in 1 hi- community. 

Both Mr. and .Mrs. Roberts give freely of their 
time and money b> charitable and religious work, 
taking a Leading part in Sabbath-scl I and tem- 
perance labors, and uniformly extending their en- 
couragement and support to everything leading to 
the advancement of education, morality and tem- 
perance, he having been Superintendent of theSab- 
bath-school for several years, and his wife now filling 
that position in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
There are few enterprises set on foot with which 
the names of this excellent couple are not connected. 
Mr. Roberts is in the prime of life and the midst 
of his usefulness, having been born Nov. 8, 1841, 
at the modest home of his parents in Dearborn 
County, Ind. His father. Joseph Roberts, a native 
Of Kennebec County, Me., emigrated from New 
England to Ohio at a v^vy early day. and later 
pushed on farther westward to Indiana. There he 
pursued agriculture until 1856, then changed his 
residence to Whiteside County, 111., where the edu- 
cation of Charles W. was completed in the common 
schools. The maiden name of the mother was Rob- 
ertson. She passed away at their home in \Y> .i. 
Johnson Co.. Neb., in 1872. The father died in 
1879, in Vesta. The parental household consisted 
Of five sons and six daughters, nine of whom are 
living, and are now distributed throughoul the 
West. 

During the progress of the late Civil War Mr. 
Roberts, while a resident of Illinois enlisted, Feb. 
9, 1864, in Company E, ICth Illinois Infantry. 
He saw the smoke of battle first at Clinton. Miss., 
later at Mobile, Jackson Cross Roads, Champion 
Hills. Vicksburg, Spanish Fort. Ft, ISIakely and 
other important engagements. He fortunately es- 
caped wounds and capture, and on account of meri- 
torious conduct was promoted to Corporal. After 
a faithful service of nearly two years, and remain- 
ing with the army until after the close of the war. 
he received an honorable discharge Jan. 20, 1866. 
Upon retiring from the service our subject returned 
to his old haunts in Whiteside County, III., where 
he engaged in farming on his own account until 
I Mitt. In the meantime he had been married, and 



■*•- 



■*^±*+ 



JL 



196 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




*t 



in the fall of that year came with his young wife 
to this county, settling in Vesta Precinct, where 
they continued to reside until May, 1880. In 
the meantime there had been born to them two 
children, Idella and Alineda, both of whom were 
taken from them by scarlet fever, and whose death 
was greatly mourned by their afflicted parents. 
They were bright little girls, aged ten and two 
years respectively. Desirous of removing from 
the scenes which constantly reminded them of their 
little ones, they now returned to Illinois, as we have 
stated. 

The marriage of Charles W. Roberts and Miss 
Sarah II., daughter of Alexander Thompson, was 
celebrated at the home of the bride in Whiteside 
County, 111., May 14, 18G8. Mrs. Roberts was 
born in Prophetstown, Whiteside Co., 111., May 5, 
1850, where she received her education, and was 
reared to womanhood, and there taught school for 
two years, and has taught also at Vesta, this county, 
two years. Her father, Alexander Gr. Thompson, 
was a native of Missouri, but was reared in Erie 
County, Pa. The mother was in her girlhood Miss 
Alineda Gault, a native of Vermont. She became 
the wife of Alexander Thompson about 1841, their 
marriage taking place in Whiteside County, III. 
Their family included six children, of whom Mrs. 
Roberts was the third in order of birth. Mr. 
Thompson was a man of strong character and 
prominent in his community, being a Deacon in the 
Congregational Church a number of years, and sub- 
sequently an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. 
He spent his last years in Round Orove, Whiteside 
Co., 111., passing away in March, 1883. 

The elder living child of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, 
Gertie T., was born April 8, 1880. The younger, 
Addie 1\. was born Dec. 16, 1882. They are bright 
little girls, and it is hardly necessary to say will 
be given those advantages in keeping with their 
station. 

Mr. Roberts as an ex-soldier is a member in 
good standing of the (1. A. R. Politically, he 
votes the straight Republican ticket. He has never 
been ambitious for office, although serving as As- 
sessor for two years in Western Precinct. He is 
fond of music and belongs to the Crab Orchard 
Band. He keeps himself well posted upon current 

4* 




events, and is a gentleman with whom it is pleas- 
urable and profitable to converse. Mrs. Elizabeth 
(Robinson) Roberts, the mother of Mr. Roberts, 
was, like her husband, a native of Maine, and the 
parents were married Jul}' 27, 1822. Their family 
included eleven children, of whom Charles W. was 
the ninth in order of birth. Joseph Roberts de- 
parted this life at his home in Vesta, Sept. 22, 
lKT'J. The mother had preceded her husband to 
the silent land, her death taking place May 5, 1872. 



LMERON REED stands as one of the lead- 
ing stock-raisers of Lincoln Precinct, and 
makes a specialty of English draft horses, 
exhibiting some of the Onest animals of 
this kind to be found in Southern Nebraska. He 
has for the successful prosecution of his calling a 
fine tract of land, 320 acres in extent, and fully 
adapted to the general purposes of agriculture, at 
the same time being supplied with convenient and 
substantial buildings. He came to this section of 
country in March, 1882, and was at once recog- 
nized as a valued addition to the community. 

A native of Ontario County, N. Y., our subject 
was born Nov. 8, 1841, and is the son of Wheeler 
and Phila (Wimple) Reed, the former a native 
either of Connecticut or New York, and the mother 
known to have been born in Ontario County, the 
latter State. Both were of English ancestry, and 
the father of our subject traced his progenitors to 
one John Reed, who crossed the Atlantic in the 
"Mayflower" in 1620, and settled with the Pilgrims 
in New England. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
eight children, six of whom are still living, namely : 
Emily, of Ontario County, N. Y. ; Almeron, our 
subject; Walter W., a resident of Otoe County; 
Louisa, the wife of E. Stevens, of Ontario County, 
N. Y. ; Harmon, of Saunders County, this State, 
and Norman, of Ontario County, N. Y. The two de- 
ceased are Amelia and Adelia, twins, who died when 
six months old. Wheeler Reed was a Colonel in 
the New York State Militia, and was one of the rep- 
resentative farmers of Ontario County, N. Y., a man 
of sterling worth of character and highly - respected. 




•4^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



197 



4~ 



The parents reside on the old homestead in On- 
tario County, N. Y. 

The education of our subject, begun in the dis- 
trict schools, was completed in Naples Academy, 
Ontario County, N. Y., of which he was a student 
until the outbreak of the Civil War, having then 
six weeks to study before he could graduate. He, 
however, fired with youthful patriotism, left his 
studies to enlist in the service of his country, be- 
coming, .Inly 30, 1862. a member of Company K, 
1st New York Mounted Rifles, and was soon there- 
after promoted, first to Corporal and then to Ser- 
geant. His regiment operated principally under 
the command of Gen. Butler in the Peninsula, pros- 
ecuting their warfare principally with the bush- 
whackers. They also fought at the battles of 
Harrison's Landing, Bottom's Bridge, Charles City 
Court House and Seven Oaks, and were in numerous 
other engagements and skirmishes. 

Our subject finally, with some of his comrades, 
was transferred to the army of Gen. Grant, where 
they met the enemy in battle at Cold Harbor, and 
continued under the command of Grant until the 
close of the war. They had also done valiant serv- 
ice at Petersburg and Spottsylvania Court House, 
and were present at the surrender of Gen. Lee at 
Appomattox, being on the left flank of the army at 
the time of this important action of the renowned 
Confederate. Mr. Reed received an honorable 
discharge in June, 1865, and at once returned to 
his old haunts in New York State. In the fall fol- 
lowing he migrated to Lenawee County, Mich.. 
where he sojourned a period of two years, and from 
there changed his residence to Henry County, III. 

In Henry County, 111., our subject was married, 
Jan. 25, 1869, to Miss Nancy Howard, who only 
remained the companion of her husband the short 
period of five years, her death taking place at their 
home in Henry County in May, 1874. Mr. Reed 
came to Nebraska in March, 1882, and settled on 
the land which he now owns and occupies the year 
following. He was married a second time, Feb. 20, 
1884, to Miss Marian Williams, who was born in 
the Province of Quebec, Sept. 20, 1851. The par- 
ents of this lady were Winslow and Lucinda (Mat- 
thew) Williams, the father a native of Vermont, 
and the mother of New York State. They were of 



Welsh and English ancestry respectively, and be- 
came the parents of a large family of children, of 
whom the following survive, namely : James N.. a 
resident of Massachusetts; Ulysses, of Montana; 
Lafayette, of Tennessee; John, of Illinois; Charles, 
of this county; Mary J., Mrs. Calvin Johnson, of 
Illinois; Adelaide, Mrs. John Hastie. of Nemaha 
County; Henry, of the same; Amasa, of Omaha; 
Marian and Frederick, also residents of this State; 
Lillian, the wife of William Ravenserofft, of this 
county; and Isolina, Mrs. A. Miller, of Talmage, 
Neb. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Reed there have been born two 
bright and interesting children: Clarence W., July 
22, 18»5, and Howard 0., Feb. 3, 18s,s. Mr. i;,. ( ,1 
is a member in good standing of the Congregational 
Church, and both he and his excellent wife occupy 
a high position socially. He is a man of sterling 
worth and integrity, one who by his upright life 
and systematic manner of doing business has fully 
established himself in the esteem and confidence of 
those around him. 



<j|,OIIN D. CANNELL, Postmaster at Crab Or- 
chard, and senior member of the firm of 
Cannell Bros., dealers in hardware, belongs 

to the younger element of this place, and 
was born Sept, 17, 1861. His native place was 
Rockford, Winnebago Co., 111., where he gpent 
the first seven years of his life. Thence the family 
removed to a farm in the same county, where the 
parents still live. They arc John and Jane (Kielv) 
Cannell. the father a native of the Isle of Man. and 
the mother of Ireland, and people held in the 
highest respect in their community. 

Our Subjed is a very well educated gentleman, 
having pursued his studies in Prof. Lownsbury's 
Academy at Rockford, ami Souder's Business Col- 
lege in Chicago. He commenced teaching at the 
age of eighteen years, and followed this profession 
live years in Winnebago County, being in the 
meantime one of the teachers in Prof. I.ownsbury's 
Academy. lie crossed the Mississippi in March. 
1885, and soon afterward with his brother estab- 
lished himself in his present business. They carry 

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198 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 






a full line of the articles pertaining to their trade, 
including heavy and shelf hardware, stoves and 
kitchen furniture, having a capital stock of $3,500, 
and sales aggregating $14,000 annually. Their busi- 
ness is steadily on the increase, and will in time be- 
come one of the important features of the trade in 
this count}'. 

Mr. Cannell was married, Sept. 28, 1887, in 
Rockford, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Dennis 
Reardon, a prominent member of the Catholic 
Church at Rockford, 111. Of this union there is 
one child, a daughter; born Dee. 12, 1888. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cannell occupy a snug home in the western 
part of town, and number their friends among its 
most cultivated people. The well-known energy 
of the Cannell Bros, is the promise of prosperity in 
the future, and for which they have the best 
wishes of their friends and acquaintances in this 
vicinity. 

William D. Cannell, the brother of our subject, 
and his junior by nearly live years, was born in 
Rockford, 111., Jan. 6, I860. There also he re- 
ceived his education, and was mostly occupied 
when not in school at farming. He came to this 
county in August, 188(i. and although only 
twenty-three years of age has already attracted 
attention on account of his business capabilities, 
which are considered a guarantee of success in the 
future. The firm ranks among the leading busi- 
ness men of the place, their transactions being con- 
ducted in that straightforward manner, and prompt- 
ness in meeting their obligations, which is ever a 
safe passport to the confidence and respect of the 
community. 



\ EN J AMI N F. DORSE Y, who is a repre- 
sentative of one of the oldest and most re- 
spected families of Center Precinct, in 
Johnson County, was born in Kentucky on 
the 11th of April, 1820. When a mere boy his 
parents went to Southeastern Indiana, and located 
7iear Lawrenceburg. He is theson of John W. and 
Jane (Connor) Dorsey. Their life in Indiana 
was continued until 1857, when they moved, and 
came to this county and settled near Helena. They 




had been living there but a few years when a re- 
moval was made to Nebraska City, where the 
father died in 1862, aged seventy-six years. After 
that event the mother of our subject removed to 
Brownville, thence to Beatrice, where she died 
about 1873, aged seventy-three years. 

The subject of our sketch was -reared on the old 
home farm in Indiana. When a young man he 
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and in 
1840 went to the city of Indianapolis and there 
followed the same. From that time until 1858 he 
was largely occupied with various contracts, sev- 
eral of them of magnitude, as his work gave so 
much satisfaction as to recommend itself. 

To most there comes a time when the desire for 
companionship presses, and makes its voice heard. 
It so occurred in the history of our subject, with 
the result that at Indianapolis, Aug. 25, 1844, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Esther Ramsey. 
They have become the parents of five children, 
four of whom were born in Indianapolis, one of 
them in Nebraska, where they removed as above 
mentioned. 

Our subject resided at Brownville until 1865, 
then came to Johnson County, locating near Helena, 
where he staid for four years, removing thence to 
where he now lives, on section 25. When he came 
here the farm was entirely unimproved, and was in 
fact (indistinguishable from the virgin prairie 
around. Now all is changed, the transformation is 
complete; his barns, stabling, granary and other 
farm buildings are well built and adapted especially 
to their purposes. His fields, orchards and groves 
cannot fail to impress the visitor as being in ex- 
cellent condition, while the house is pleasant and 
commodious. 

Mr. Dorsey was elected as a Representative of 
this county in 1878. and served one term as State 
Senator. He was Postmaster at Helena for a num- 
ber of years while living there. There were but 
two mails per week at that office, and many times 
not more than half a dozen letters and as many 
papers in the pouch, so that the duties were not 
arduous, difficult or exhausting. The children of 
our subject are all married excepting George, who 
makes Ids home with his parents. 

Mrs. Dorsey is a member of the Presbyterian 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



^ 



199 a 



Church at Helena, and has been affiliated with that 
communion since her girlhood. Every member of 
this family is strongly attached to the Republican 
party, and actively engaged whenever occasion de- 
mands in the interests of the same. 

George Dorsey, theyoungesl son of our subject, 
was born in Indianapolis, Dec. 19, 1853. He was 
educated in the common schools, and afterward 
was engaged upon the farm. He is energetic as a 
business man, and of strictest integrity. He is at 
present selling musical instruments, and carries a 
stock of pianos and organs. This business he runs 
in connection with his farming, and has been very 
prosperous. 





f^ITTS II. HOPKINS. The name of this 
gentleman is widely and favorably known 
throughout the city of Tecumseh and vi- 
cinity. As one of its prominent business 
men, he is largely interested in real estate, and owns 
a fine home on the comer of Broadway and Fifth 
street, besides the Queen City Hotel, which lie has 
recently remodeled and enlarged. This is now 
probably the Largest and best equipped house of its 
kind in the city. In former years Mr. II. was ex- 
tensively interested in stock-farming, and still re- 
tains possession of a ranch of l.ooi) acres, a part 
of which lie purchased in 1867, and added to in 
L881 and 1882. Upon this there are ample im- 
provements, most of them effected solely by the 
industry and enterprise of the present proprietor. 
In addition to his cattle ranch he owns 180 acres 
of valuable land adjoining the city of Tecumseh 
on the north. 

In the summer of 1867 Mr. Hopkins came to this 
county and Pawnee and purchased for Mr. Hunt, of 
Illinois, 2,000 acres of land, at the same time entering 
quite a large body of land for himself and others, and 
in 1881, in connection with Mr. Hunt, established 
a ranch, which they operated three or four years. 
Mr. Hopkins purchased Mr. Hunt's interest in the 
stock, ami in tin- meantime put up a line residence 
ami a liarn. besides sheds sufficient for the accom- 
modation of 100 head of cattle. Later he added 
two more dwelling-houses. Besides -the care of his 
own cattle, he look cattle from other parties to 



pasture, and from these joint interests realized a 
handsome income. Until a year ago he kepi a herd 
of from 300 to 400 head, then began selling oil. 
and a considerable portion of the land is now de- 
voted to genera] agriculture, although Mr. Hopkins 
still keeps quite a number of cattle and other stock. 
Mr. Hopkins has planted live acres of forest trees 
and has over 100 apple trees, half of which are 
now bearing fruit, and are in a flourishing con- 
dition. This farm lies about fifteen miles southwest 
of Tecumseh. 

The earliest recollections of our subject are of 
the modest home in the township of Sparta, Liv- 
ingston Co., N. Y., where his birth took place 
March 21, 1833. In 1840, when lie was a little lad 
of seven years, his parents removed to Marshall 
County, 111., where he attended the district schools. 
He completed his education in an academy at Elm- 
wood, and developed into a teacher. He was occu- 
pied in this capacity two years, then began dealing 
in real estate in earnest. He had transacted con- 
siderable business in this line while quite a youth 
and before leaving school, At Dixon he gained a 
good knowledge of surveying. 

In April, 1854, Mr. Hopkins crossed the Father 
of Waters into Marshall County, Iowa, and open- 
ing an office in Marshalltown began dealing in real 
estate, entering over 90,000 acres of land for East- 
ern parties during the season of 1855. There also 
he officiated as a pedagogue, and was master of the 
first public school taught in Marshalltown, during 
the winter of 18o5 and to 1857. He remained in 
that locality a period of live years, and realized 
from his real-estate transactions a good income. 

( »iir subject at the expiration of this time returned 
to Elmwood, 111., where he continued his operations 
as a real-estate dealer, exchanging in some instances 
Iowa land for Illinois farms. In 1867 he came to 
Nebraska, entered his land in Johnson County, and 
operated in lands in Pawnee and Gage Counties. 
Eventually he bought fifty-two quarter-sections 
which he sold to Eastern parties, and was a number 
of years buying and selling at a lively rate, indeed, 
up to 1880. That year he turned his attention to 
live stock. He was in the meantime in the employ 
of the Chicago, Burlington A: Quincy and the Bur- 
lington A- Missouri River Railroad Companies, in 



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4 



•►Hl^ 



200 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



*t 



encouraging excursions to the farther West, and 
subsequently operated with the Rock Island road 
in the same manner. 

Mr. Hopkins cast his first Presidential vote for 
Fremont, and has always been a stanch supporter of 
Republican principles. He was at one time Deputy 
Sheriff of Marshall County. Iowa, and Notary 
Public. In this county he has been a member of 
the School Board. He has. however, no great de- 
sire for official honors, while at the same time will- 
ing to serve the people when he can do so in a 
manner calculated to advance their interests. 

Thirty-two years ago, on the 13th of November, 
1856, our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Delia M. Robins, of Rosefield, Peoria Co., 111. This 
union resulted in the birth of three children, one 
of whom, Orlo Anson, died at the age of fifteen years, 
in Kim wood, 111.; Lewis R. is in Peoria County, 
111.; the daughter, Lucy Ethel, is at home with her 
parents. She is well educated. Mrs. Hopkins was 
born in Bristol, Conn.. May 20, 1833, and is the 
daughter of Henry and Eliza (Hart) Robins, who 
weir uativesof Connecticut- and New York respect- 
ively. When quite young she moved with her 
parents to Illinois, they settling on land in Rose- 
field, Peoria County, where she lived with them 
until her marriage. Later they removed to 
Klmwood. The mother died about 1854. Mr. 
Robins survived his wife for a period of twenty 
years, his death taking place in .Inly. 1875. He 
was born at Rocky Hill. Conn., in March, 1801, 
where he lived until reaching manhood, then took 
up his residence in Bristol, where all his children 
were born. In 1840 he removed with his family 
to Rosefield. 111., where he purchased land and car- 
ried on farming in connection with his trade, that 
of a carpenter. His first wife died in 1854, and 
he was subsequently married again. Of this last 
union there was one child, a son, Charles S. He and 
his first wife were members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, but later he identified himself with 
the Congregationalists. 

Henry Hopkins, the father of our subject, was 
born in Lowell, Mass., March Hi, 1800. Hemoved 
from there when a young man of eighteen or 
twenty years to Livingston County, N. V.. where 
he worked as a carpenter, and on the 30th of Sep- 



tember. 1830, was married to Miss Esther Collar. 
They became the parents of eight children, only 
four of whom lived to mature years. He worked 
at his trade until IS In. then moved to Marshall 
County, 111., where he took up land and carried on 
farming in connection with carpentering. He sold 
out in 1848 and returned as far as Lamoille, Bureau 
Co.. 111., where he purchased town property and 
contracted to lay a plank road from Lamoille to 
Peru. With this end in view he built a sawmill, 
manufactured his own plank for the road, and was 
employed three years fulfilling his contract. At 
the expiration of this time, on account of failing 
health, he sold the mill and retired from active 
business. In the fall of L856 he went up into 
Minnesota, and died at Faribault in Rice County, in 
the fall of 1858. The wife and mother had entered 
upon her rest at their home in Lamoille, on the 
19th of August, IMS. 

The parents of our subject were most excellent 
and worthy people, and members in good standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The paternal 
grandfather, Pitts Hopkins, was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, where he spent his entire life engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. At the time of the mother's 
death, in 1 S 1 8 . occurred the death also of two sis- 
ters and a brother, this terrible affliction falling 
upon the survivors within a period of six weeks. 
All the others, with the exception of the father, 
were likewise at the time very ill. 



ffiULIUS L. YOUNG, Clerk of Johnson 
County, is a resident of Nemaha Precinct, 
and was formerly largely interested in grain 
and agricultural implements. lie repre- 
sents a fine property in this part of the county, in- 
cluding 700 acres of land, stocked with a goodly 
assortment of cattle and horses. Of this he became 
the possessor in 1883, when it was in its primitive 
condition. The transformation which he has ef- 
fected during a period of five years is really 
marvelous, as now may be seen all the accompani- 
ments of the model country estate, a fine residence 
with convenient out-buildings, the fields laid off 
•► 



f 



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4. 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4 



201 *) 



with Deal and substantial fences, and everything 
aboul the premises indicating the exercise of indus- 
try and ample means. Without question this is 
one of tlif leading stock farms of Johnson County, 
and in addition is also one of its most attractive 
homesteads. 

Mr. Young was elected to the office of County 
Clerk Nov. 2, 1885, and re-elected in the fall of 
1KH7. This fact is sufficient indication of the man- 
ner in which he has discharged his responsible 
duties. His integrity is unquestioned, and both in 
social and business circles he occupies the position 
of the trusted citizen and official. 

A native of Mercer County, Pa., Mr. Youngwas 
born Dec 31, 1M2, and when a lad ten years of 
age a© tpanied his parents to Illinois, they set- 
tling on a farm near Galdtaa, in Jo Daviess County. 
After emerging from the common school, Julius L. 
attended Rock River Seminary, at Mt. .Morris, 
where he completed his Studies. Not long after- 
ward, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted 
Sept. 2.'!. 1861, with the Fremont Rangers, in an 
independent battalion formed in St. Louis, .Mo. He 
engage'd in active Gghting at 'Wood's Fork, Harts- 
ville, Chalk Bluff, Bayou Metoe and Little Hock. 
Ark., and did considerable scouting west of the 
Mississippi under the command of Gen. Davison. 
In his capacity as a Union soldier he traveled over 
considerable ground in Missouri, Arkansas and 
Louisiana, and after a service of three years and 
four months received an honorable discharge and 
was mustered out Dee. 31. 1864. He was never 
wounded in battle but suffered his full share from 
privation and hardship, together with a broken 
shoulder, caused by a wounded horse falling upon 
him at Little Rock, Ark. 

After retiring from the service Mr. Youngcame 
directly to Nebraska and purchased 160 acres of 
land in Todd (reek Precinct, this county. Here 
he effected considerable improvement and lived 
until 1868, when he changed his residence to Elk 
Creek, selling his farm and engaging in the grain 
business. In the meantime he was Secretary of the 
Grange Shipping Association until his election to 
the office of County Clerk, lie also dealt in agri- 
cultural implements, doing an extensive business 
ami commanding a lucrative patronage. He put up 



a fine store building and established the Bret and 

only elevator at Elk ( reek, and handles from 11)0 to 
(Kill carloads of grain annually. 

On the Ith of June, 1883, Mr. Young purchased 
the south half of section 2. in township .'!. range 1 1, 
Pawnee County, to which he subsequently added, 
until his landed possessions assumed the present fine 
proportions of 700 acres. He usually keeps about 
KKI head of cattle, besides horses, mules and 
swine. In addition to his farming interests there 
arc tew Leading enterprises in which he lias not 
taken an active part, and for a period of three years 
he officiated as Secretary of the Board of Trade. 
besides holding other positions of trust, and respon- 
sibility. Prior to the war, and while a resident of 
Oalena, he made the acquaintance of him who 
was afterward Gen. Grant, an episode in his life 
which he looks back upon with great satisfaction. 
lie Identified himself with the Masonic fraternity 
about 1870; is a1 present connected with the Blue 

Lodge. Furnas Chapter No. 9, and Mt. Horeb Com- 
mandery No. 10. IK' is also a K. of P. and a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. In all of these he holds office 
and has been a prominent ami efficient worker. 

Miss Caroline S. Matson, of Jo Daviess County, 
111., became the wife of our subject March 26, 1871. 
Of this union there have been born seven children. 
Five are now living, namely: Victor T., Clarence L.. 
Ernest !■'.., Edith W. and Paul Q. Mrs. Youngwas 
born in Jo Daviess < 'ounty, 111., and is the daugh- 
ter of A. ('. and Mary (Jagger) Matson. who were 
natives of New York and England, and arc still 
living, being residents of Cloud County, Kan. Mr. 
Matson was a farmer by occupation, and the pa- 
rental family consisted of six children. Mrs. Young 
acquired a common-school education and remained 
with her parents until her marriage. John T. 
Young, the father of our subject, a native of 
Pennsylvania, was born in 1804. He remained a 
resident of his native State until fifty years of age, 
then moving to Illinois with his family, purchased 
a farm in Jo Daviess County, where he spent the 
remainder of his lifer building up a beautiful home 
ami a line property, including 227 acres of land 
with first-class improvements. 

lie hail married in earl\ inanh 1 Miss Nancy J. 

Allison, a native of his own county in IVnnsyl- 
•► 



"if* 

i > 202 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




vania, and to them were born ten children, nine of 
whom, seven sons and two daughters, lived to ma- 
ture years. One son was killed in battle at Chicka- 
mauga when fifteen years old. Six of the sons 
served as Union soldiers during the late Civil War. 
The parents, while residents of Pennsylvania, were 
connected with the Presbyterian Church, but after 
coming to the West identified themselves with the 
Methodists. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Young 
are being carefully reared and educated in a man- 
ner befitting their station and surroundings. 



KW IS < 1. II ALL. This honored pioneer of 
Johnson County looked upon Nebraska 
thirteen years before it had lieen admitted 
into the Union as a State, first crossing the Father 
of Waters in August. L854. lie was then a youth 
of nineteen years, and made the journey from Bu- 
reau County, 111., with his parents, crossing the 
Missouri River on a fiat boat, at what is now the 
flourishing town of Peru, but what was then a col- 
lection of wooden structures designated as houses. 
The place was then called Mt. Vernon. 

The father of our subject in making his way to 
Nebraska Territory, came with the determination 
to stay, and persevered through every difficulty. 
These he realized were many and great, but he pos- 
sessed the disposition which admitted no such word 
as "fail." He settled with his family on a tract of 
land lying along Honey Creek, two miles south of 
the present town of Peru, and there Lewis G. re- 
mained with his parents until hismarriage. To go 
back to the early life of our subject, we find that, 
he was born Nov. 14, 1835, in Bureau County, III., 
and received the education common to the youth 
of that time and place. After marriage lie settled 
with his young wife in sighl of a little town called 
London, in this county, where he had pre-empted 
1(1(1 acresof raw prairie land. Here the young peo- 
ple began their wedded life, and lived in true pio- 
neer style for a period of twelve years. They 
labored industriously early and late, and Mr. Hall 
succeeded in making good improvements, setting 
out a fine grove of forest trees with an orchard and 
the smaller fruits, laying fences and bringing the 



t 



*•■ 



land to a fine state of cultivation. Indians were 
quite plentiful, but gave the pioneers little trouble 
or apprehension. Their lives passed quietly and 
uneventfully until the outbreak of the Civil War. 
when Mr. and Mrs. Hall were the parents of three 
children. Notwithstanding his home ties, our sub- 
ject considered it his duty to enlist in defense of 
his country, and on the 1st of November, 1862, be- 
came a member of Company F, 2d Nebraska Cav- 
alry. This regiment was assigned mostly to duty 
on the frontier, and engaged principally in Indian 
warfare. Mr. H. enlisting only for a year, received 
his honorable discharge at the expiration of this 
time, and returned home. 

In the fall of 1866 our subject concluded to 
change his location, and accordingly selling out, 
moved to Arago, Richardson County, where he en- 
gaged in milling and lumbering, and put up one of 
the first fiouring-mills in that region, lie resided 
there three years, then located in the western part of 
Nemaha County, engaging in milling and farming 
combined. This experiment proved very successful, 
and he remained there until becoming a resident of 
Johnson County in the fall of 1X7(1, and settling at 
Butler's Mills, where he slill prosecuted the business 

above mentioned, and lived until purchasing, in the 
fall of 1881, the land constituting his present farm. 
It bore little resemblance then to its present condi- 
tion, being a tract of uncultivated prairie without 
a shrub or a building. 

Mr. Hall, when purchasing this land, had become 
fully accustomed to pioneer scenes and experiences, 
and entered with courage upon the task of its sub- 
jugation. He now has a model homestead with 
tasteful and convenient buildings, a fine large frame 
residence set in the midst of shrubbery and groves, 
a thriving apple orchard, and the smaller fruits in 
abundance. Each year finds some new embellish- 
ment adding to the attractiveness and value of the 
property. Mr. Hall of late years has given his at- 
tention largely to the breeding of fine stock, in- 
cluding half-grade cattle, Hambletonian horses and 
Poland-China swine. In the spring of 1888 Mr. 
Hall, deciding that he had contributed his quota 
toward the development of the agricultural inter- 
ests of Johnson County, retired from active labor, 
and moving into Elk Creek, invested a portion of 
_ ■» 



f 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



203 



•f 



his capita] in agricultural implements. His two 

miiis, William II. and John, are now operating the 
farm. The former married .Miss Fidelia Puryear, 
of Johnson County, Neb. 

Mr. Hall is a stanch supporter of Republican 
principles, and. with his excellent, wife, is a member 
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
in which be has officiated as (.'lass-Leader and Su- 
perintendent of the Sunday-school for many years. 
The bigh character of the man is known and recog- 
nized throughout the county, with whose business 
and agricultural interests he has been closely identi- 
fied for a long' period. Liberal-minded and public- 
spirited, he has ever been foremost in those projects 
tending' to ele\ ate the people. 

.Mis. Johanna (Horn) Hall, was born in (ass 

County. 111., Aug. 21, 1839, and is the daughter 
of .loci and Emily Horn, who lived there until 
about 1851. Thence they removed firsl to Mis- 
souri, and later lo Nebraska. Mr. Horn was one of 
the pioneer farmers of this Stale, and died in Mis- 
souri when about Seventy years of age. The wife 
and mother passed away about 1862. 

.loh n W. Hall, the father of our subject, was horn 
in Kentucky in 1808, and when quite young emi- 
grated first to Indiana and then to Illinois, settling 
in the latter State near Galena with his parents. 
I Ie occupied himself as a teamster in the lead mines, 
and the family lived there until the Indian out- 
break, when they started eastward, intent upon 
seeking a place of greater Safety. They had reached 
l.aSalle County, the home of a friend. .Mr. Davis, 
when the Indians overtook them and massacred all 
in the house with the exception of Mr. Hall and 
two of his si>ters. They were made prisoners, and 
two weeks later the sisters were sold to another 
tribe. John \V. made his escape with two brothers, 
and finally reached Bureau County, 111., where he 
settled and lived until 1851. The sisters were sold 
to another tribe of Indians, who returned them to 
their friends. Mr. Hall was married to Miss Mary 
L. Swan, and they became the parents of nine chil- 
dren, seven of whom lived to maturity. As soon 
as Nebraska Territory was opened up tq settlement, 
they came in and located near the present site of 
Peru, ~where Grandfather Hall continued to reside 

until about two years before his death. lie then 

4* 



removed to Nebraska City, where lie spent hi- last 
days in retirement, lie was a man of deep piety, 
and a local preacher of considerable repute, work- 
ing early and late in the Master's vineyard, and be- 
ing a devout member of the Methodist Church., 
lie carried on farming extensively, and acquired a 
good properly. Grandmother Hall was a most 
efficient helpmate to her husband, sympathizing 
with him in the Christian work. She was a native 
of Tennessee, and the daughter of William Swan, 
who emigrated to Illinois during its pioneer days. 
Franklin L. Hall, the eldest son of our subject, 
married Miss Caroline 1.. Waidley, and is carrying 
on fanning in Todd (reek 1'rccinct ; hi' is the father 
of three children. Emma F. is the wife of Gran- 
ville C. Brittain, a farmer of Todd Creek Precinct, 
and the mother of four children; W. II. Hall was 
married to Miss Fidelia Puryear. and they have one 
child. Edgar. The other children of Mr. Hall con- 
tinue under the home roof, and have been given 
the training and education suitable to their circum- 
stances and position in life. 



•~VV-»4jica'®i(@ 



>*^§s$*iM737r»\~ vw. 



GEORGE GOERING. Among the farmers 
and stock-raisers of Lincoln Precinct few 
are more practical or prosperous than the 
subject of this sketch, whose farm is situated on 
section 12, township i> north, range 12 east. He 
was born in Germany on the 1st of April, 1854, 
and is the son of George and Barbara Goering. llis 
father is deceased; his mother resides in Illi- 
nois. He is the third son of four boys, and one 
girl born to his parents. His education, which 
was obtained in the schools of his native country, 
is fairly complete, and so far as it went was thor- 
ough. 

Our subject was about eleven years of age 
when his parents emigrated to this country. The 
ocean passage extended over fourteen days and 
the}' landed in New York City, from whence the 
family proceeded immediately to Bureau County, 
III., where the father died in l>s.S2. Besides OUT 
subject there are four children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Goering living, viz: Jacob, still residing in Bu- 
reau County. III.; Henry, of Platte County, Neb.; 



^r 



20 1 



-•* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



f 



Sibella, the wife of Louis Kurupf, of Bureau 
County, 111., and Phillip, who resides in the same 
count}'. 

From early childhood our subject was brought 
up on a farm, and as earl}' as was possible was 
given such tasks to perform as were within his 
power, and as the mouths and years passed by these 
were insensibly increased, until he was abundantly 
capable of taking any part of such work and per- 
forming it properly, or indeed, to undertake the 
entire management of a farm. 

On the 25th of January, 1877, Mr. Goering was 
joined in matrimony with Katie Wunder, by whom 
he has become the parent of six children, whose 
names are given as follows: Henry, George, Fred- 
erick, Emma, John and^Louie. Mrs. Goering was 
born in Illinois, May 20, 1859, and is the daugh- 
ter of Adam and Elizabeth Wunder, of Bureau 
County, 111., and natives of German}'. 

Our subject is the owner of 160 acres of good 
land, which he has brought to_a high state of culti- 
vation. He takes rank among the best farmers in 
the precinct, and may be justly proud of the suc- 
cess that has attended him, for he has effected what 
has beenjjdone almost^entirely minus the usual aids 
given bj - parents and others, and is truly a self-made 
man. In politics he is a Democrat, clearly under- 
standing and fully appreciating the liberties, privi- 
leges and government of his adopted country. 
He is identified with the Evangelical Church, as 
were also his parents, while his wife is a member of 
the Lutheran Church. They are much esteemed 
members of society, and are recognized as capable 
and valuable members of the community. 



T 1 



\f, OSIIUA J. VETTER. Among the names of 
the early pioneers of Nebraska will be found 
that of the gentleman whose life is herein 
briefly sketched. He is the owner of an ex- 
cellent farm, comprising eighty acres of well-tilled, 
arable land upon section 1 of Nemaha Precinct ; this 
he works along the line of general farming and stock- 
raising. In 1870, when he settled thereon, it was 
raw prairie, and he has brought it to its present 



state of cultivation by his continued assiduous, in- 
telligent effort. Near his dwelling he has set out a 
fine orchard, containing over 150 apple trees, besides 
various other fruits, and also has some five acres of 
thrifty, well-developed forest trees. The grade of 
cattle chiefly engaging the attention of our subject 
as most valuable is the Polled-Angus. 

When Mr. Vetter first came to the district he 
settled south of the town, living there for two 
years. In 1873 he went to Fillmore County and 
took up a homestead claim, which he kept until he 
came to this precinct, where he has made his resi- 
dence continuously from that time. He has long 
held the position of school officer, and being deeply 
interested in educational matters has so attended to 
the various duties of the office as to win the admi- 
ration and esteem of the community. He is an en- 
thusiastic member of the G. A. It. 

Berrien County, Mich., is the place of the nativ- 
ity of the subject of this writing. He was ushered 
into life on the 5th of April, 1840, and continued 
to live in his native county until 1871. In the 
common schools of his native place he received a 
good practical English education, the course of 
study covering all the branches usually studied at 
the time. In 18(31 he enlisted in defense of the 
old flag, on the 15th of September of that year 
becoming a member of Company K, of the 12th 
Michigan Infantry. He went through the follow- 
ing engagements, viz: Shiloh, Iuka, Middleburg, 
Tenn., Natchez, Vicksburg, Little Rock, Ark., be- 
sides an endless number of lesser engagements and 
skirmishes. He was mustered out at Little Rock 
on the 4th of May, 1865, and returned to Michi- 
gan. 

Mr. Vetter celebrated the 4th of July of the year 
1867 in right royal style, being united with Miss 
Sarah A. lla/.en, of Buchanan, Berrien Co., Mich., 
in the bands of wedlock. Of this union four chil- 
dren have been born. Their names are recorded as 
follows: Dora B., Arthur W., Fffa Blanche and 
Myrtle O. Dora is now Mrs. George Thomas, of 
Firth, and is the mother of one child, to whom has 
been given the name Floyd. Mrs. Vetter is the 
daughter of Ezra Hazen, and was born on the 7th 
of August, 1850, at Buchanan, making her home 
with her parents until the auspicious Fourth of 



r 



*J=i= 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




205 



4 



Jul}' when she united her life with that of our sub- 
ject. Her father was a native of the Buckeye State, 
who in the early days of Michigan's settlement mi- 
grated thither. He was the father of thirteen chil- 
dren, of whom his daughter Sarah was the youngest. 

Jacob Vetter, the father of our subject, was born 
in Steucot, Wurtemberg, Germany, in the year 
1791); there he lived until after his marriage with 
Miss Rachael Waggoner. Upon coming to America 
he staid for a short period in Philadelphia, and 
then removed to Michigan and later to Chicago, 
III., when it was a small town. In that vicinity he 
took up forty acres of land. Upon this land is now 
erected the well-known Union Depot, which is not 
only the finest in the city, but will compare most 
favorably with any depot in metropolitan centers 
in the country. Owing to sickness he determined 
to return to Michigan, where he owned a farm of 
some 1G0 acres, all well improved, situated about 
fifteen miles from St. Joseph, and also land where 
Ann Arbor now stands. He died in 1854, being 
fifty-five years of age. His wife departed this life 
at St. Joseph in the year 1845. 

The subject of our sketch is a prominent citizen 
and a very ardent supporter of the Republican 
party, and enjoys the respect and confidence of the 
community, and is one of the most successful and 
practical fanners in the county. 



k A\Tl) C. CONKLIN, of Helena Precinct, 
is meeting with fair success as a farmer 
and stock-raiser, and is operating 1 (JO acres 
of good land occupying the southwest 
quarter of section 32. lie is a self-made man in 
the strictest sense of the term, having been entirely 
dependent upon his own resources since starting 
out for himself in life, and in the hand-to-hand 
struggle with the eleine its of the world has made a 
fair record, meeting with a goodly measure of suc- 
cess. A native of the Keystone State, he was born 
in Susquehanna County, July 1, 1827, and is :i 
son of Leonard and Margaret (Weymcr) Conkliu, 
who were born in Orange County, N. V. The pa- 
rental household of our subject included a family of 
six children, of whom the following survive, namely : 




David C, our subject, was the eldest; Esther, the 
wife of Lemuel Vangelder, of Wayne County, Pa. ; 
Thomas, a resident of Pawnee County, this State; 
and Rebecca, the wife of John Ressequie, living in 
Wayne County, Pa. The parents spent their lasl 
years in Pennsylvania, and the father followed fann- 
ing all his life. 

Mr. Conkliu was reared to manhood in his native 
State, and received such education as was afforded 
the youth of his day under a school sj'stem vastly 
inferior to that of the present time. He was trained 
to habits of industry from his .youth up, and shortly 
before reaching the twenty-fifth year of his age 
began making arrangements for the establishment 
of a home of his own. The most important event 
leading to this end was his marriage, which occurred 
Jan. 10, 1852, the maiden of his choice being Miss 
Almeda Dickey, who was born Feb. 27, 1833, in 
Susquehanna County, and reared not far from the 
home of her husband. Her parents, Walter and 
Sail}' (Ressequie) Dickey, were natives of Connecti- 
cut, and the father a farmer by occupation. They 
spent their last years in Pennsylvania. 

Mr. and Mrs. Conkliu commenced the journey of 
life together in a modest home in Pennsylvania, 
where our subject commenced farming. His plans, 
however, were broken in upon by the outbreak of 
the Rebellion, and in September, 1862, laying aside 
his personal plans and interests, he enlisted as a 
Union soldier in Company A, 137th Pennsylvania 
Infantry, becoming a part of what was designated 
as the Fatigue Corps. He was for a time under the 
command of Gen. Hancock, and fought at Fred- 
ericksburg and Antictam, besides meeting the 
enemy in other minor engagements and skirmishes. 
His regiment operated mostly in Maryland and 
Virginia. Mr. C. served six months, and received 
his honorable discharge in February, 1863. 

After retiring from the army .Mr. Conkliu re- 
sinned farming in Wayne County, Pa., where he 
resided for a time, then changed his residence to 
Luzerne County. In the latter he entered the em- 
ploy of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, with 
which he was connected for a period of seven years, 
attending mostly in the shipping department! He 
was thus occupied until the fall of 1 871), then, with 
a desire to see something of the Great West, crossed 

— «► 



T 



«#• 



206 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



the Mississippi, and coming to this count}', located 
first in Nemaha Precinct. Thence he removed in 
the spring of 1883 to his present farm. This com- 
prises 160 acres of good land in a highly productive 
condition, and which, under the careful manage- 
ment of its present proprietor, yields bountifully 
the rich products of Southern Nebraska. With the 
assistance of his faithful and industrious wife he 
has accumulated a comfortable property, with some- 
thing for a rainy da}* and his declining years. He 
votes the straight Republican ticket, and is a mem- 
ber in good standing of the Christian Church. A 
man quiet and unostentatious in his demeanor, he is 
remarkable chiefly as a peaceful and law-abiding 
citizen, who gives his support to the cause of relig- 
ion and education, and in all respects deserves the 
appellation of an honest man and a good citizen. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there have 
been born ten children, three of whom — Mary,Orin 
and George — died at a tender age. Of the surviv- 
ors the record is as follows: Lovisa is the wife of 
John Daugherty, a resident of Scranton, Pa.; Nina. 
Mrs. C. H. Pickering, lives in Tecumseh, this 
county; Melissa married Edwin Mills, and together 
with her brother William, resides in Denver, Col.: 
Friend, Floyd and Ella are at home with their par- 
ents. 

— ~ fr o^h< - * ■■■ — 



*t 



JUDGE JOSEPH W. BUFFUM. The sub- 
ject of this biography is widely and favor- 
ably known thoroughout this county as one 
of its most prominent and useful citizens. 
He is a lifelong agriculturist, but of late years lias 
been giving his attention to live stock, carrying on 
his operations at a beautiful farm and homestead 
of 160 acres, on section 17 in Todd Creek Precinct. 
A native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, our sub- 
ject was born May 9, 1834, and when three years 
of age went with his parents to Knox County, 111. 
They settled upon a tract of land, where the father 
engaged in farming, and where were spent the 
boyhood and youth of Joseph W., during which 
time he acquired a good practical education, and 
became familiar with the various employments of 
rural life. 

The years of young Buffum were thus spent in a 



comparatively uneventful manner until the notes 
of civil war startled the country, and its young 
men began by hundreds to offer their services in 
defense of the Union. On the 11th of August, 
1862, our subject enlisted in Company G, 83d 
Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the Army 
of the Cumberland. He first saw the smoke of 
battle at Ft. Donelson, and was thereafter engaged 
in many of the important battles of the war, ex- 
periencing many hairbreadth escapes, and at Claiks- 
ville, Tenn., was wounded in the left leg, and made 
a cripple for life. He has never been able to walk 
since that time as other men, but succeeded in 
getting around slowly by the aid of crutches, and 
for the past eight or nine years has been able to 
abandon their use. This occurred in the spring of 
1865. Mr. Buffum was confined at Ft. Bruce, and 
after the close of the conflict received his honora- 
ble discharge at Chicago, 111., in July, 1865, and 
was mustered out of the service. His army ex- 
perience was similar to that of thousands, and has 
been recorded in a history that will never grow 
old to the American people. 

After being relegated to the ranks of civil life 
Mr. Buffum returned to his old home in Knox 
County, 111., for a brief period, and entered his 
father's store in Yates City, where, however, he 
remained only a short time, until starting for the 
West. He left the Prairie State on the 1st of 
April, 1868, and reached Nebraska twenty days 
later, settling in Tecumseh, where he resided for 
about twelve years. While residing there he im- 
proved the land of which he had become owner 
before leaving Illinois. Upon this there had been 
no attempt at improvement, and Mr. Buffum pur- 
sued thereafter the course common to the Ne- 
braska pioneer, battling with the difficulties of a 
distant market, imperfect farm implements, and 
the various other drawbacks which beset the new 
settler. He was possessed, however, of the sturdy 
courage and perseverance incident to the men of 
those times, and allowed nothing to deter him 
from his purpose of building up a homestead on 
the soil of Nebraska. After putting in his first 
crops lie began planting shade and fruit trees, erect- 
ing the buildings most urgently needed, put out 
several acres of forest trees and a large peach or- ' 




■f 




Residenceof Charles Wi lkinson, 5 ec. 24. Maple Grove Precinct. 




Res i den 



v*f l ur 



A.Sharrett.Sec. 



.j U . ( 4 . 13. J LINCOLN rRECINCT. 



-*•■ 



-•*• 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



209 



-f 



chard, and otherwise increased the value and 
beauty of his property. Upon this farm, however, 
he did not live, making his home in Tecumseh, and 
in addition to the supervision of his farming opera- 
tions, was engaged four years in the livery business. 
Later he took up merchandising, in which he was 
engaged three years. He sold this farm in the fall 
of 1880, and purchased his present homestead the 
year following. 

This latter property had undergone considerable 
improvements, hut Mr. Buffum has greatly added 
to its value by the erection of a large and band- 
some residence, which, with its surroundings, (•(in- 
stitutes one of the most attractive pictures in the 
landscape of this region. Here he has about eight 
acres of full grown forest trees, a fine apple or- 
chard and trees of the smaller fruits. His live 
stock includes about seventy-live head of choice 
Short-horn cattle, but he is working his way toward 
the breeding of road horses, having some fine and 
valuable specimens of Hainbletonians. In the care 
and feeding of his stock Mr. Buffum has gathered 
around him all the conveniences, having ample 
stabling, watering troughs, etc. 

In addition to his extensive farming interests 
Judge Buffum has always been a prominent man 
in public affairs, filling many positions of trust and 
responsibility. He was elected to the office of 
County Judge in the fall of 1873, and subsequently 
was elected County Treasurer, serving his full 
term with credit to himself and satisfaction to his 
constituents. Democratic in politics, the fact that 
he holds his office in a Republican stronghold is 
indicative of the estimation in which he is held by 
the people of the county. Almost from the time 
of his coming here he has been an incumbent of 
the local offices, a member of the School Board, 
etc. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
our subject was his marriage with Miss Sarah A. 
Mills, which was celebrated at the home'of the 
bride in Knox County, 111., Feb. 28, 1856. Of 
this union there have been born seven children, 
five of whom are living, namely: Esther Estelle, 
Clara Belle, Martha Lodema, Lou and Josephine. 
With the exception of the eldest daughter they are 
all at home with their patents. Esther 10. is the 
*•— 



wife of Mr. J. E. Davis, of Grafton, Neb., and the 
mother of one child, a daughter, Carrie L. The 
children of our subject have been given a thorough 
education, and are. bright and intelligent, doing- 
honor to their ancestry and parental training. 

Mis. Sarah A. (Mills) Buffum was born near 
Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1838, and lived there 
until reaching womanhood. She then removed to 
Illinois with her parents. The latter were John 
and Tern pa (Hatch) Mills, and the father was a na- 
tive of Vermont, and a farmer by occupation. Ik- 
spent his last years in Knox County, 111., dying in 
1858, at the advanced age of sixty-three years. 
The mother had passed away when her daughter 
Sarah A. was but a child, in Madison County, 
Ohio. 

Stephen Smith Buffum, the father of our subject, 
was born in Vermont, Oct. 22, 1802. lie left the 
Green Mountain State earl)' in life, migrating to 
New York, and when about fifteen or sixteen 
years old sought the Far West. Ashtabula Count}', 
Ohio, at that time came under this description, 
and young Buffum, taking up a tract of land which 
was covered with timber, felled the trees and built 
up for himself a good homestead. He married 
Miss Esther Mann, of Ashtabula County, and they 
became the parents of six sons and two daughters. 
seven of whom lived to mature years. In 1830 he 
left Ohio, and settled among the pioneers of Knox 
Count)', 111., being the third family in Salem Town- 
ship. There again he proceeded as before, elimin- 
ating a homestead from the wilderness, although 
he had prairie land to work upon instead of timber. 
His first purchase was 160 acres, to which he sub- 
sequently added a like amount, becoming owner of 
half a section. Here lie lived :iii(l labored until 
quite well advanced in years, then, in 1860, sold 
out and removed to rates City, where he engaged 
first in the grain trade and later in general mer- 
chandising. He was a hale, hearty and intelligent 
old gentleman, and (lied in February, 1871, at the 
age of about sixty-nine years. 

Mrs. Esther (Mann) Buffum died in October, 
1845, and the father of our subject was then mar- 
ried to Miss Diantha L. At wood, who is now in 
Yates City, III. He was prominent in local affairs 
in Illinois, holding the offices of Supervisor and 



^r 



-•*• 



210 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Justice of the Peace for many years, and in the 
Masonic fraternity was a Knight Templar, high in 
the order. Religiously, he was a Universalist in 
belief during the later years of his life, although 
when in Ohio he attended the Episcopal Church, 
walking six miles to and from the house of worship. 
The grandfather of our subject, also Stephen 
Buffum by name, was a native of Vermont, and 
settled in Fulton County, 111., fully as early if not 
earlier than 1830. lie was married in Vermont, 
and reared a large family. He was one of the 
earliest pioneers of that region, and acquired a 
good property. lie spent his last days among his 
children, and had a sufficient income to maintain 
him comfortably. His death took place between 
1850 and 18G0, after he had reached the advanced 
age of eighty-four years. He served -with one of 
his sons in the Black Hawk War. 



* <S|-*#- * 



f AMES T. JONES. A goodly proportion of the 
live stock which finds its way to the market 
at Tecumseh is the product of this county, 
and Lincoln Precinct is amply represented 
in this industry. To this the subject of this sketch 
has turned his attention considerably for the last 
eight years, finding it perhaps more satisfactory 
than mixed agriculture, although he has- a fine tract 
of land which 3 r ields bountifully the products of 
Southern Nebraska. This is pleasantly located on 
section 19, and comprises 240 acres which, how- 
ever, does not embrace his entire real estate, as he 
has a whole section in Nemaha County. 

Mr. Jones may most properly be classed among 
the self-made men of Johnson County, as he was 
' thrown upon his own resources early in life, and 
his accumulations have been the result of his indus- 
try and perseverance, aided by one of the most ex- 
cellent of wives. To this lady Mr. Jones gives due 
recognition, and acknowledges that she has been his 
most efficient helpmate in the accumulation of their 
property. Mr. Jones was born in Washington 
Count}', Pa., Jul}' 21, 1846, and is the sou of 
William and Margaret K. (West) Jones, who were 
natives of the same. His ancestors on both sides 
of the house were originally from Maryland, whence 

>-*• 



they emigrated to Pennsylvania during its early 
settlement. The parental family included four 
children, of whom but three are living, namely: 
Emma J., the wife of David McDonough, of Henry, 
111.; Mary D., the wife of Robert McDonough, of 
the same place, and our subject. Maria A. died 
when about two years of age. 

The parents of our subject when James T. was a 
lad of seven years emigrated from the Keystone 
State to Peoria County, 111., and six months later 
to Marshall County, settling in Saratoga Township 
in the fall of 1854, during its pioneer days, and 
where they spent the remainder of their lives. 
James T. was reared to manhood in Marshall 
County, where he became familiar with the details 
of pioneer farm life and received a practical edu- 
cation in the schools of that day. Upon reaching 
manhood he was married, Nov. 6, 1867, to Miss 
Mary E. Divelbiss, who was a native of Peoria 
County, and born April 3, 1849. Her parents, 
Samuel and Rachel (Thomas) Divelbiss, were 
natives of Pennsylvania, and the father is deceased. 
The mother is still living, making her home with a 
daughter in Marshall County, 111. Their family 
consisted of eleven children, eight of whom are 
living, namely: Henry, a resident of Kansas; 
George, of Iowa; Catherine, Mrs. Ferris, of Iowa; 
Jane,. Mrs. Sanford Shaff, of Iowa; Harrison, of 
Nemaha Precinct, this county; Harvey, of Kansas; 
Maggie, Mrs. Gilbert Van Fleet, of Marshall County, 
111.; and Mrs. Jones, of our sketch. 

Our subject and his wife commenced the journey 
of life together in Marshall County, 111., and are 
the parents of six children. Their eldest son, 
William S., was born April 21, 1809 ; Grace M., 
born May 10, 1871, died April 11, 1872; Charles 
L. was born Sept. 4, 1*74; Robert II., born March 
4, 1877, died March 1(5, 1878: Daisy R. was born 
Dec. 25, 1881, and James H., Sept. 10, 1880. Mr. 
Jones and his family came to this county in the 
spring of 1 880, and settled upon the land which 
they now own and occupy. Our subject and his es- 
timable wife are active in all good works, and lend 
their aid and influence as opportunity affords in fur- 
thering those influences calculated for the general 
welfare of their community. Mr. Jones is President 
of the Johnson County Agricultural Society, and 



»► i r~ « ^ 



•HMi 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



211 



-r 



takes an especial interest in the establishment and 
maintenance <>f schools; he has for yearsserved as a 
Director in his district. Politically, he votes and 
labors in support of the principles of the Republican 

party. 

<*p^HEODORE SMITH. The subject of this 
(f{mS!)\ biography and his estimable wife represent 
^gsg?' 400 acres of land in Spring Creek Precinct 
and 100 acres in Cedar County, Neb., and are 
numbered among the most prominent people of 
Johnson County, not alone for their wealth and 
position, but on account of their sterling worth of 
character. Mr. Smith lias been remarkably success- 
ful in his agricultural operations, which embrace an 
experience of nine years. During his early man- 
hood he worked first at blacksmi thing, and later 
conducted a carriage manufactory. He is by no 
means aged, however, having been born Sept. 20, 
1844. His native place was in Northampton County, 
Pa., and his parents were Valentine and Sarah (Ras- 
l.-v ) Smith, the father a native of Germany and the 
mother of the Keystone State. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
live children, namely: Theodore, of our sketch; 
Sarah, the wife of William Powell, of Henderson 
County, 111.; Mary A., Mrs. John Fisher, of Atchi- 
son County, Kan.; Valentine, a resident of Helena 
Precinct, this county, and Oeorge, who is supposed 
to be a resident of Kansas. The father emigrated 
to America when a young man. ami located in 
Northampton County, Pa., where he was married, 
and lived until after the birth of one child. Then, 
resolving to push further westward, he removed 
with his family to Fulton County, III., landing there 
in 1840, and being among its pioneer settlers. He 
carried on agriculture until some time in the fifties, 
then changed his residence to Henderson County, 
where his death took place about 1871, and that of 
bis estimable wife about 1870. 

Our subject was a lad eight years of age when 
hia parents settled in Henderson County, 111., and 
remembers many of the incidents of pioneer life in 
that region. He remained the assistant of his father 
on the farm until Hearing the eighteenth year of 
his age, then, desirous of trying his band at some- 



thing else, repaired to Terre Haute in that county, 
and began an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade 
under the instruction of Mr. Frank Jenkins. He 
served the appointed three years, then going to 
Henry, Marshall County, established a carriage 
manufactory, doing both a wholesale and retail 
business, and was thus engaged from 1804 until the 
fall of 1879. Selling out at that time he invested 
his capital in land. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Etta Mc- 
Connell was celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Newport, Ind., Oct. 30, 18GG. Of this union there 
are three children : Clarence E., born Sept. 20, 1 8G7 ; 
William E., Feb. 21, 1872, and Roy, June 4, 1874. 
The wife and mother departed this life at their 
home in Henry, 111., April 5, 1875. 

Our subject contracted a second matrimonial al- 
liance, Sept. 17, 187G,in LaSalle County, 111., with 
Mrs. Louisa Smith, widow of Benjamin F. Smith, 
of Marshall County. This lady is a native of Brad- 
ford County, Pa., and was born May 5, 1848. Her 
parents were William G. and Clarissa (Warfield) 
Barnes, and the mother died at Henry, 111., Jan. 5, 
1880. Mr. Barnes is still living, and a resident of 
Los Angeles County, Cal. Both parents were na- 
tives of New England, and it is supposed were both 
of English ancestry. They were among the early 
settlers of Marshall County, 111., having moved 
there when their daughter Louisa was a little girl 
eight years of age. Mr. Barnes was a very intelli- 
gent and ca|iable man. who accumulated a good 
property. He held the various local offices, and 
uniformly gave his support to the enterprises cal- 
culated for the general welfare of the people around 
him. 

Mrs. Smith was reared to womanhood in Marshall 
County, and was first married there Nov. 2, 1865. 
Of her union with Benjamin F. Smith there were 
bom two children: Minnie L., who died when ten 
months old, and Willard B., now a promising youth 
of eighteen years, pursuing his studies in the Nor- 
mal School at llolton, Kan. Benjamin F. Smith 
was a farmer and mechanic by occupation, and de- 
parted this life at his home in Marshall County, 111., 
in 1872. 

Theodore Smith and his family came to this 
county in the spring of 1880, and settled on the 



■+*- 



i 



«► l f^ 



4- 



212 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



farm which they still occupy, and which comprises 
320 acres of valuable land. The beautiful residence 
is the observed of all observers who pass through 
the northeastern part of this county, and with its 
fine surroundings fulfills the idea of the complete 
country home. Mr. Smith is a man of more than 
ordinaiy capabilities, and one who has been the 
architect of his own fortune, having from the begin- 
ning been compelled to depend upon his own re- 
sources, which, after all, is the best schooling a man 
can have. Mrs. Smith owns 240 acres in her own 
right, and this is located in Spring Creek Precinct 
and Cedar County, Neb. Both she and her hus- 
band occupy an enviable social position, and have 
made many friends since their comparatively brief 
residence in this county. Mr. Smith is a Repub- 
lican politically, and socially, a member in good 
standing of the I. O. O. F. at Tecumseh. 



-§-+ 



+-$- 



-r 



[/. s ENRY ROGGE. Among the prosperous, 

j 1 ' practical and wide-awake farmers who sus- 
tain the agricultural interests of Sterling 
Precinct, the subject of this sketch occu- 
pies no mean position. He is a native of Olden- 
berg, born May 18, 1840, and he there lived in 
the home of his parents, Jacob and Margaret Rogue 
until he attained manhood. His father died in 
1857, and his mother then bought a small farm to 
which she retired with her family, and our subject 
remained with her most of the time until 1866. 
lie then determined to try life in the United States, 
and embarked on the "America," a sailing-vessel 
bound for this country, and after a tempestuous 
voyage of sixteen days, having encountered a 
heavy storm in mid-ocean which lasted four days, 
he landed in New York on the 25th day of April. 
He immediately proceeded to Henry County, Ohio, 
where he obtained work as a farm hand, and was 
thus employed for three years. At the expiration 
of that time he made his way to Nebraska, where 
he intended to become an independent farmer, tak- 
ing advantage of the cheap lands and this wonder- 
full}- fertile soil. He selected Johnson County as 
his future home, and entered a claim under the 
Homestead Act to a 160-acre tract of land, where 



he now lives, comprising the southeast quarter 
of section G, Sterling Precinct. He built a sod 
house, in which he kept "bachelor's hall" most of 
the time until 1872. 

In that year our subject took an important step 
toward establishing a more comfortable home by 
marrying, on the 25th of March, Miss Sophia 
Rogge. He had previously erected a small frame 
house, and in that he and his bride commenced 
their wedded life. Her parents, Henry and Cat- 
erina Rogge, are both dead, and the mother of our 
subject died in 1872. Nine children have blessed 
the union of our subject and his wife, namely: 
Willis, Edwin, Ola, Cora, Mary, Belle, Stella and 
Rowie, ami one who died at the age of three weeks. 

When Mi-. Rogge came here, although he was 
not among the first settlers, his was the pioneer 
task to develop a farm from the wild, unbroken 
prairie, and as he had but §200 he had to exercise 
the closest economy, and to manage with great 
frugality until his land would prove a source of 
income instead of outlay. But he was full of life 
and energy and not easily discouraged, so that he 
gradually became prosperous, and now none of his 
neighbors have a better tilled or more highly im- 
proved farm than he. It is supplied with a good 
house, barn and other necessary buildings, has a 
fine orchard and many forest trees, is well fenced, 
and every inch of soil is utilized. In these years 
of toil his wife has greatly aided him in the up- 
building of their home, both by cheerful assistance 
and ready counsel and encouragement. She is a 
woman of true Christian character, a devoted mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one 
whose kindly heart makes her the friend of the 
needy ami suffering. 

Our subject is a well-informed man, and possesses 
a good fund of sound common sense and shrewd 
foresight, that make him invaluable as a citizen and 
as a neighbor. In his home relations he is a kind 
husband and wise father. He and his wife are de- 
termined that their children shall be well educated, 
and he thoughtfully provides them with good 
books. Mr. Rogge also takes an interest in general 
educational matters, and as a member of the School 
Board for several years has used his influence to 
provide good schooling for the children in this 



=f 



•*• 



■*•- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




213 







township. He is Roatl Commissioner this year, 
and is faithfully performing his work In that direc- 
tion. Mr. Rogge takes an intelligent view of the 
political questions of the day, and sides with the 
Republican party. 



-3«*- 



HARLES WILKINSON. Among the en- 
terprising and effective agriculturists of 
Maple Grove Precinct must, lie named the 
subjecl of this sketch, whose property is situated 

on section 21. His father was John Wilkinson, a 
native of England, who came to America about 
the year 1830. He made his first home in the New 
World in Peoria County, 111. There *hc continued 
to reside for about fifteen years, and then moved 
to Walworth County. Wis., where he lived until 
his death, which occurred in 1885. His wife, the 
mother of our subject, was Harriet Egan, a native 
of Madison County, Ohio. This lady is now liv- 
ing in Knox County. 111. 

The subject of (his biography is the only son of 
the above, and was born on the 12th of March, 
IslT.in Fulton County, 111. He lived at home 
until he was thirteen years of age, when he com- 
menced to woilc upon a farm by the week. He 
continued thus employed until 1868, when he came 
to Tecumseh and took a homestead claim of 160 
acres of raw prairie land, which he has transformed 
into his present valuable and highly cultivated 
farm. With the exception of seven years spent in 
Knox County, during which he rented his prop- 
erty, he has resided thereon continuously from the 
time of his entry. 

In October. 1875, the marriage of Mr. Wilkin- 
son with Abbie Mills, a daughter of John and Lena 
(Thomas) Mills, was celebrated. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mills were natives of Ohio, but for many years had 
been residents of Knox County. 111. Their daugh- 
ter Abbie was bom at Rome, Peoria Co., 111.. Sept. 
11. L854. Our SUbjecl and wife are the parents 
of two beautiful children, who. as they develop 
from childhood to youth, and come to more ma- 
ture years, manifest capacity, intelligence and a 
disposition that mark them for honorable places 



in the community. Their names are Harriet L. 
and Guy W. 

At the conclusion of the seven years of his sec- 
ond residence in Knox County. III., our subject 
returned in 1X7'.) to Johnson County and to his 
farm. This he has long since brought to a well- 
nigh perfect condition for agriculture. He is 
careful, thorough and practical, and devotes much 
thought to the further improvement and cultivation 
of the same. 

In political matters Mr. Wilkinson favors the 
Union Labor party as that most likely to meet and 
carry out the desires of tin' major portion of the 
community. He has held the office of Assessor 

for two years, and has also been a member of the 
Scl I Board — the latter office in fact he has oc- 
cupied almost continuously. He is a member in 
good Standing of the Masonic fraternity, and is 
quite a good worker in the various departments 
where such is required, lie is a worthy and val- 
ued citizen, but- unassuming, and in nowise anxious 
to figure prominently in political circles. His 
chief delight is in his home and farm, and there he 
has always sustained the most worthy and happy 
temperament, so as to be a favorite and looked-for 
member of the household, and popular among those 
who work for him. His fine home and out-build- 
ings arc shown in a view elsewhere in this ALBUM. 




■•■ g . l.fft . g. .- 

ANIKL RICHARDSON. The house and 
farm of this gentleman attract attention 
from the Stranger or visitor to the county, 
especially of those who may be in the vi- 
cinity of sections n;. I and 9, of Western Precinct, 
because of its position and topographical surround- 
ings. The house and farm buildings arc situated 
upon the summit of one of the highest hills in the 
district, and being substantially built and of tine 
appearance, have become quite a landmark, as they 
may be seen for many miles in either direction. 
Mr. Richardson was born in Knox County. 111., on 
the 25th of February. 1841. His father. Pliny 
Richardson, now deceased, was a native of Breck- 
inridge County, Ky. The maiden name of his wife. 
the mother of our subject, was Elizabeth Tierce. 



r*^U 



214 



^*H|-*« 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4 



She is now living in Knox County, and is eighty- 
one years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, Sr., made their home 
in Warren County, 111., in the year 1856, and there 
our subject was brought lip on the home farm. His 
education was received in the usual institutions of 
the district, and was of the ordinary practical char- 
acter. His patriotism led him to enlist in Company 
A, KI2d Illinois Infantry, fur a term of three years. 
He was present in the conflicts of the Atlanta cam- 
paign, and fought in the battles of Etesaca, Dallas. 
Peachtree Creek, and also those of the Carolina 
campaign and Sherman's march. He saw much 
service outside the larger battles, and has a very 
honorable war record. Upon leaving the army he 
located in Knox County, and was there engaged in 
agriculture until 1!">75. when he returned to War- 
ren County, carrying on a farm there until 1886, 
when he came to this county, and purchased and 
settled upon the property where he now makes his 
home, on section 16 of the above precinct, operat- 
ing 120 acres of fine arable land m general farm- 
inn' ami stock-raising. 

Upon the 18th of November, 1869, was cele- 
brated the marriage of the subject of this sketch 
with Sarah Ryner, who is the daughter of Spen- 
cer Ryner, of Warren County. 111. There have 
been given to them six children, live of whom arc- 
now living, viz.: Trueinan B., Sherman S.. Aha 
L., Frank S. and Daniel 1). The name of the de- 
ceased child was Oliver. The married life of our 
subject has been most happy, and in keeping with 
what would be a natural result for one of such 
character and disposition, so congenially allied. 

Mr. Richardson was formerly a member of the 
United Brethren Church, but has not joined him- 
self to any organization since coming to this State. 
Nevertheless both himself and wife take deep) in- 
terest in religious matters, and also in local Sun- 
day-school work, especially that carried on in the 
district school-house. They are liberal supporters 
of benevolent institutions and enterprises. Out- 
subject is a true and loyal citizen, and an enthu- 
siastic member of the Gr. A. R. He was always a 
strong Republican, and it so happens that some of 
his neighbors were with him in the army, and 
members of the same mess, who were of an oppo- 



site opinion, so much so as to often use the epithet 
of "Black Abolitionist" to him. 

Mrs. Richardson was born on the 25th of Au- 
gust. 181M. in Warren County, her father, who is 
a native of Pennsylvania, being one of the very 
early settlers in that county. The maiden name of 
her mother was Emily Butles, of Ohio. Both her 
parents are still living, and make their home in the 
town of Alexis, Warren County. Her brother, 
William Ryner. served with the Union forces in 
the late war, and has an honorable record in that 
connection. 

For a view of the home of our subject see another 
page in this volume. 



\|7 AFAYETTE A. SIIARRFTT, an Ohio man 
I (@ °f excellent antecedents, occupies a good 
■l ^v position as a representative farmer and 
stock-raiser in Lincoln Precinct, where, since the 
summer of 1856, he has successfully cultivated a 
farm of eighty acres of land, which is in a highly 
productive condition, and supplied with convenient 
and substantial buildings. This is located on sec- 
tion 30. the center of as fine a farming community 
as is to be found in the county, and Mr. Sharrett 
lias been no unimportant factor in building up its 
present reputation. He is a self-made man, of in- 
telligence and good business capacities, and one 
who enjoys in a marked degree the confidence and 
esteem of his neighbors. 

Our subject was born in (ireene County. Ohio, 
Aug. 16, 1853, and is the son of John 15. and Eliza- 
beth (Straly) Sharrett, a sketch of whom appears 
elsewhere in this volume. When in the third year 
of his age he came with his parents to this county, 
where he was reared and educated, and of which he 
has since been a resident, lie became early in life 
familiar with the various employments of the farm, 
and has been content to make agriculture his occu- 
pation, nothing delighting him more than to wit- 
ness the development of the soil, the flourishing 
fields with their growing crops, and the gathering 
in of the golden harvests. 

Mr. Sharrett when not quite thirty years of age 
was married. Feb. 21. 1883, to Miss Susie Sampson, 



4 



"*•- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



215 



who was I Kirn Jan. 27. L861, in Iowa County, Iowa, 
and is a daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Cook) 
Sampson, who are residents <>f Lincoln Precinct. 
and a sketch of whom appears on another page in 
this work. Mr. and Mrs. sharrett commenced the 
journey of life together at their present homestead, 
and are the parents of three children: Pearl M., 
In, in Dec. 1.".. 1883; Jessie M., June 25, 1885, who 
died A u<, r . 6, 1885; and Mabel L., horn June 1, 
1888. 

Our subject states thai lie has been ably assisted 
by his estimable wife in attaining to his present 
position, both socially ami financially, and they are 
both members in good standing of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. They have gathered around 
them many friends, who watch their progress with 
Kindly interest, and who extend to them their 
warmest wishes for their future prosperity. .Mr. 
Sharrett cast his first Presidential vote for P. B. 
Hayes, and politically, he uniformly votes the Re- 
publican ticket, lie, like his honored father, lends 
his aid and influence as opportunity occurs to those 
projects having for their object the elevation of 
society and the best good of the people around him. 
()n another page may he seen a view of his pleasant 
home and its surroundings. 



I 



lU^ ARRISON J. 

jfj) ship north, 
%^ cinct, is- one 



CURTIS, of section 22, town- 
range 11 east, of Helena Pre- 
of the oldest pioneers of the 
(§§)) county. He was horn in St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., on the 16th of August, 1830, and 
is the son of Henry and Eliza Curtis, who were 
natives of New York State and Vermont re- 
spectively. Originally three brothers emigrated 
from England to America; one settled in the 
South, another after a short sojourn returned 
to England, while the third located in New York 
State. Our subject is a direct descendant of the 
latter. 

To the parents of our subject were born six chil- 
dren, of whom three survive, viz. : Marietta, who 
is married to Samuel Ttinnan, of Churchill 
County, Nev. ; Henry A., of Cook, in this State, 
and Harrison J., who was about five years of age 
•*• 



when his father died. About a year later he was 
taken into the family of Lewis R. King, of Hunts- 
ville, Schuyler Co., III., by whom he was brought 
up until he reached his eighteenth year. His pres- 
ence in Illinois is accounted for by the fact that his 
parents left their New York home for the West 
about the year 184:1, and located in Schuyler 
County, 111., where, as previouslj' mentioned, the 
father died within a year of removal. 

The education of our subject, so far as school- 
ing was concerned, was necessarily somewhat lim- 
ited, Illinois being provided at that time almost 
without exception simply with subscription schools, 
and the winter months alone were devoted to 
study, but in all that went to make up the practical 
part of his training in farming, etc., he was per- 
fectly conversant from his youth, and it is not sur- 
prising that upon starting upon his own account, 
with all the interest and responsibility attaching 
thereto, he speedily made his way to the front in 
such pursuits. 

Devoted to bis country and patriotic to a degree, 
our subject enlisted on the 12th of August, 1862, 
in Company C, 99th Illinois Infantry, which 
was mainly composed of young men of Pike 
County. The regiment was attached to the Western 
Army, and first did service in Missouri. Later our 
subject was transferred to the army before Vicks- 
burg, and participated in the siege and battle at 
that place. He was detailed to act in the capacity 
of teamster, and carried provisions and ammunition, 
etc., for the troops, being what is called Quarter- 
master's teamster. Subsequently he participated 
in the siege of Jackson and later returned to 
Vicksburg, where he was in camp for a short 
time and then was transferred to New Orleans, 
where they lay in camp for a time and then were 
sent to Brazier City, La., where he was disabled by 
a kick from a mule, which was so severe that be 
was sent to New Orleans, where he remained in the 
hospital for over six weeks. He was then fur- 
loughed for sixty days and returned home, but at 
the expiration of that period being still unfit for 
service he received an extension of time, viz., 
thirty days, after which he returned to his regi- 
ment which was in Texas, going via New Orleans. 
He was now detailed to Serve as dispatch carrier for 




t 



216 



•a* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



a short time, and was wounded by an explosion of 
a torpedo in March, 18G4. This confined him to 
the hospital for some time, and resulted in his be- 
ing unfit for service. He was therefore honorably 
discharged in June of that year in Louisiana. 
Upon returning to his Illinois home our subject, 
after his complete recovery, engaged in farming. 

The marriage of our subject with Mary E. Can- 
non was celebrated on the 14th of March, 1860. 
This lady was born on the 14th of September. 1840, 
at Pleasant Hill, in Pike County, and is the daugh- 
ter of Bluford and Margaret (Kerr) Cannon. Her 
parents were respectively natives of Kentucky and 
Missouri. Upon her father's side she is of Scotch- 
Irish descent, and the original founders of the fam- 
ily this side the Atlantic settled in Maryland. They 
were the parents of several children, of whom the 
following are living: Patience, the wife of Henry 
A. Curtis, of Cook County, 111.; John, who is in 
Missouri; Henry, in Holt County, Colo. ; Benjamin 
F., of Logan County, Kan , and Mrs. Curtis. These 
are all children by the first marriage of her father. 
By his second alliance he became the husband of 
Sarah Triplet, and several other children were born, 
of whom three are living, viz. : Kate, who is married 
to LaFayette Jones; Cora, the wife of LcKoy Jones, 
and Smith; all reside in Smith County, Kan. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Curtis there have been given 
ten children, of whom they have lost four by death, 
viz.: William, Lily, Lutie and Samuel. The liv- 
ing children are as follows: Henry, who is married 
to Lydia Fleischer; Mollie, now Mrs. Nathan 
Douglas, of Cheyenne County, Kan. ; Frank, Lucius, 
Wesley and- Bessie. In 1866, accompanied by his 
wife and three children, our subject migrated from 

• Illinois to this county. The journey was performed 
by means of a wagon and four mule teams, and 
some three weeks were consumed in the journey. 
Upon reaching their destination 160 acres of land 
was taken as a homestead claim on section 28 of 
Helena Precinct. It was situated about six miles 
north of Tecumseh, and the primitive condition of 
things at that time ma}- be gathered from the fact 
that there was not a house between them and the 
village. This was their home until 1879, when 
they removed to their present farm and have re- 

' sided there continuous!}' from that time. He owns 



f 



160 acres and has every part of it well in hand. It 
is a fertile tract and yields good harvests. It is 
chiefly cultivated in the line of general farming. 
Throughout the years of their companionship Mr. 
and Mrs. Curtis have mutually assisted each other 
in all the affairs of life, and their home has been one 
of the happiest in the district. They are both 
members in good standing of the Baptist Church 
and take a deep interest in religious matters. Our 
subject has for a number of years been Deacon of 
the chinch, and still serves in that connection. For 
a number of years he has been a member of the 
School Board and lias done good service. In 1888 
he was elected Justice of the Peace, and is more 
than fulfilling the hopes of his friends. Politically, 
he is a Democrat, and is an active member of the 
party. He is also identified with the Masonic fra- 
ternity and advanced to the degree of Master Ma- 
son. He is a man of character and personal worth, 
and is one of the esteemed and much valued citi- 
zens of the county. 



»*g£®<OT?i»v» -v/v**. 



<* 



-WV -\*J2£C®~5@ 



. NTIIONY M. APPELGET, one of the 
most promising young lawyers of Johnson 
County, during a successful practice of 
ten years has built up a profitable business, 
and holds a line position in the ranks of the legal 
fraternity. During this period he has been asso- 
ciated with his father, the well-known Judge Ap- 
pclget, a long-time and highly respected resident 
of Tecumseh. 

The subject of this sketch was born June 15, 
1857, near the city of Princeton, N. J., where he 
lived until a lad of thirteen years. In the fall of 
1 870 he came with his parents to the "West, they 
taking up their residence at once in Tecumseh. 
Anthony M., when of suitable age and acquire- 
ments, entered the law department of the Iowa 
State University, from which he emerged in the 
summer of 1878 with the degree of LL. B. On 
the 1st of July he began the practice of his pro- 
fession, having been admitted to the bar of two 
States, and practices in all the courts, including the 
State and Supreme. 

Mr. Appelget, in July, 1878, became associated 



4- 



r 




afog&gs§£&ii&sgi^i^^ 



S>***w 



RE5IDENCE OF J . W. KePLI NGER , SEC.22. N EM AH A PRECINCT. 



■ 




Residence of E. G. Jury, 5ec.17.(4.=11.)Todd Creek Precinct. 



-*•- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



219 



rt 



with Lis father, and they practiced under the firm 
name of Appelget & Son. When the father as- 
sumed the judicial ermine the partnership was dis- 
solved, and the son has gradually dropped into the 
practice of the former. lie has already accumu- 
lated a line property, owning besides his handsome 
residence at the intersection of Fifth and Grant 
streets, other improved property in the city, and is' 
interested with his father in Kansas and Nebraska 
lands. He has been for five terms City Attorney, 
and as a leading member of the Republican party 
is almost invariably called upon to act as delegate 
to its conventions. 

On the 22d of October, 1879, Anthony M. Ap- 
pelget was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. 
Payne, and to them have been born five children. 
Of these but four are living, namely: Thomas, 
Harry, Abbie and Clarence. They have a very 
pleasant and attractive home, and enjoy the com- 
panionship of hosts of friends. Mr. A., socially, is 
a K. of P., Past Chancellor of Minerva Lodge No. 
7-1, K. of P., and Colonel of the Nebraska Division 
of Suns of Veterans, and Judge Advocate General 
of Commander-in-Chief of Sons of Veterans. He 
has of late been the principal counsel in every 
prominent lawsuit in the city of Tecumseh and 
vicinity. He is a close student, an extensive 
reader, and keeps himself thoroughly posted upon 
the important points constantly arising in his prac- 
tice. As a man prominent in his community, he 
has occupied many positions of trust and responsi- 
bility, and during the existence of the First 
National Bank at Tecumseh was its Vice Presi- 
dent. 

JA.COBW. KEPLLNGER. The snug farm 
belonging to this gentleman embraces eighty 
acres of thoroughly cultivated land lying on 
section 22 in Nemaha Precinct. At present he 
is interested in graded stock, keeping choice breeds 
of Short-horn cattle, which he disposes of at hand- 
some profits. Although perhaps not the hero of 
any very thrilling event, he lias signalized himself 
as a useful and worthy citizen, and by his example 
of thrift and industry has contributed his quota to 
the well-being and reputation of his precinct. He 

*• 



has a very pleasant homestead, replete with modern 
conveniences, and is a gentleman held in respect 
among his neighbors. A view of the homestead 
forms one of the interesting features of this Album. 

Crawford County, Ohio, was the early tramping 
ground of our subject, and where his birth took 
place Dec. 2X, 1M.J2. He lived there until a man 
of twenty-live years, acquiring a practical educa- 
tion, and assisting his father in farm work. At this 
time, considering that he was justified in establish- 
ing domestic ties and a home of his own. he was 
married, and soon afterward started for the West. 
Crossing the Mississippi into this State he reached 
Humboldt on the 9th of January, 1878, and was 
there occupied in buying grain and stock one and 
one-half years. In the spring of 1879 he purchased 
the land which lie now owns, and which was then a 
tract of wild prairie upon which a furrow had 
never been turned. 

All of the improvements which the passing trav- 
eler observes to-day upon the farm of Mr. Kep- 
Linger have been brougbl about by his own industry 
and good management, lie has labored early and 
late, considering no effort too great for the end in 
view. At an early stage he planted between four 
and five acres Of forest trees, set out an orchard, 
and put up a substantial house and barn. He later 
added the various other conveniences which have 
so much influence in the comfort and happiness of 
a home. He was soon recognized as a valued ad- 
dition to this part of Johnson County, was made 
School Director and Supervisor, and given other 
positions of trust and responsibility among the 
affairs of a community which gradually grew up 
around him. 

Miss Catherine Grossman, of Crawford County, 
Ohio, became the wife of our subject on the even- 
ing of Christmas Day, 1*77. Their wedding 
was celebrated at the home of the bride, and a 
few weeks afterward the young couple set out for 
their projected home in the West. Their first 
child, Leila May, was horn Feb. 2.~>. 1879, while 
they were residents of Tecumseh ; Amy Viola was 
born in February, 1881, and Clara Kdith. Sept. 25, 
L886. They arc a bright little trio, the joy and 
pride of the parents' heart. 

Mrs. Keplinger is the daughter of Jacob and 

■ — . » 



r 



o= 



4- 



220 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Mary (Wagoner) Gossman. The father, a native 
of Germany, emigrated to America during his 
early manhood, and settled on a tract of land in 
Crawford County, Ohio, where he built up a good 
homestead, and continued to live until his decease, 
which occurred in the spring of 18G4. The mother 
is still living, and resides at the old homestead in 
the Buckeye State. Both parents identified them- 
selves with the Methodist Episcopal Church long 
years ago. The parental household included ten 
children, nine of whom are living, and residents 
mostly of Ohio. 

Charles Keplinger, the father of our subject, was 
born in York County, Pa., Feb. 2, 1809. He lived 
there until reaching his majority, then removed to 
Stark County, Ohio. He was there married to Miss 
Sarah Werstler, and thence removed to Crawford 
County, the same state where he carried on farm- 
ing, and spent a number of years. He eliminated a 
good homestead from the dense forest, and by a 
life of integrity gained the esteem and confidence 
of his fellow-citizens, who tendered him various 
offices of public trust. He served as Township 
Clerk and Treasurer, and was County Commissioner 
for six years. In religious matters he was. with his 
excellent wife, a warm adherent of the German 
Lutheran Church. Charles Keplinger departed this 
life at his home in Bucyrus, Ohio, to which he had 
removed after abandoning the active labors of the 
farm, on the 23d of May. 1886. The mother Ls Still 
living in Bucyrus. Their family consisted of 
eleven children, most of whom lived to mature 



years. 



-*«^*$- 



-$*^-C. 



*r=5! MAM hi. t.. 
j|U) in the front ra 

/1 L —■?■ tv. and is the 



4 



3 MANUEL G. JURY. This gentleman stands 
rank of stock-raisers in this eoun- 

the owner of an excellent farm of 
160 acres on section 17 of Todd Creek Precinct. 
lie was horn in Lacon, 111.. May 1. 1852, and con- 
tinued to make that Ids home until 1883. He was 
educated in the schools of that district, and be- 
came possessed of a good practical knowledge of 
the ordinary branches of education. Leaving the 
school, he went on his father's farm until he at- 



*•■ 



tained his majority, and then started life for him- 
self. 

The first farm of our subject was in Livingston 
County. III., near Minonk, and was operated as a 
grain farm. His harvests were usually good, and 
he reckoned upon an average of forty-five bushels 
to t lie acre. He continued prosperously engaged 
there until he sold out in 1883, and came to Hum- 
boldt, Richardson County, this State. There he 
lived for one year, and then came to his present 
farm, upon which he has since been continuously 
engaged, thoroughly improving it. During the 
last year he has built a very fine barn, which 
stands 36x40 feet, ground measurement, with 16- 
feet posts, and the farm is all fenced and cross- 
fenced. His home he has doubled in si/.e and made 
one of the most comfortable farmhouses in the 
district. He is chiefly engaged in stock-raising, 
using mainly Short-horns and Red-Polled Norfolks, 
and is working largely toward the latter class. He 
lias between seventy and eighty head, lie lias also 
a number of Poland-China hogs, which variety he 
has raised for about fourteen years. 

.Mr. Jury was united in wedlock with Alice M. 
Barger, of Illinois, on the 11th of September, 
1876. They are the parents of five children, all 
living, whose names are as follows: Herbert E.. 
Carrie May, George Lewis. Myrtle S. and Nellie 
Frances. Mrs. Jury was born in Peoria County. 
111., on the 8th of May, is.")."), and is the daughter of 
Samuel \V. and Salvina Barger. Her father was by 
occupation a blacksmith, an expert workman, anil 
had ipiite an extensive business. He removed 
to Livingston County, and there our subject met 
and formed a friendship with the lady. Mr. Barger 
was a native of New York, and went West as a 
young man in search of the more adventurous 
turns in fortune's wheel usually expected in life in 
the West. Later he was married to Mi.-s S. Hen- 
dricks, of New York, and to them were born seven 
children. In 188:5 h*> moved to Sibley. Iowa, with 
his family, and there owns a thoroughly improved 
farm, although he has retired from its active work- 
ing. 

The father of our subject. George Jury, was 
born in England, and came to this country shortly 
after his marriage with Miss Margaret Matters. 




.►HI^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



221 



^n^r 



They settled first in Lacon, 111., residing there 
until his death, which occurred about one year 
after coming to this country. This event left his 

widow with their only child, our subject, who 
was then a year old. His mother continued to 
live there, but he was taken to his grandparents, 
with whom he lived until he was nine years old. 
Then, his mother having married Robert Thomp- 
son, of Livingston County. 111., he went back to 
the farm. Mrs. Thompson is still living, at Flana- 
gan. 

The subject of our sketch is a devout member of 
the Baptist Church, his wife being affiliated with 
the Methodist Episcopal communion. Mr. Jury is 
an active, enterprising and prominent citizen, and 
is held in high regard by his fellows. His char- 
acter and life are such as to make him an honor to 
the community of which he is a resident. His fine 
home is shown in a view on another page, 

/p^EORGE W. CARMINE. Todd Creek Pre- 
||| <=-, cinct has many farms of an unusually fine 
V \^J) description, not the least of which is that 
owned by the subject of our sketch. It is 1 60 acres 
in extent, and is situated on sections 7, 4 and 12. 
It is thoroughly improved, and is either cross-fenced 
or hedged in all its divisions. The property was 
somewhat improved at the time he purchased it in 
1883, but he has expended much time, thought and 
money to bring it to its present excellent condi- 
tion. 

Among the chief improvements made by our 
subject must be mentioned the erection and fur- 
nishing of his residence, which is one of the best in 
the district, and compares favorably with many in 
more Eastern States that are far more pretentious. 
It has four large reception rooms on the first floor. 
and four above for other purposes. The home is 
elegantly furnished, and abundantly supplied with 
the various devices insuring the greatest possible 
amount of convenience and ease. Externally, the 
gardens, etc., show it off to ad vantage, besides mak- 
ing the surroundings exceedingly pleasant. 

Ohio claims the honor of being the birthplace of 
the subject of our 'sketch, and the date of his na- 



tivity is the 21st of March, 18.31. He was fifteen 
years old when his parents left the Buckeye State 
for Fulton County, 111. His early life was shadowed 
by the loss of his mother by death when he was six 
years of age, and this has doubtless more or less 
affected his whole subsequent experience. He re- 
ceived a good English education, so far as such is 
obtainable in the usual institutions of the country. 
After leaving the classes and text-books, he learned 
the carpenter's trade, and worked at the same for a 
Dumber of years. 

When about twenty-five years of age Mr. Car- 
mine removed to Henry County, 111., where he 
made his home for about ten years, after which he 
went to Plymouth County, Iowa, remaining there 
for six years, then coming to this State. He has all 
his life been more or less acquainted with the vari- 
ous duties and responsibilities connected with agri- 
cultural life, and chose to make that his occupation, 
and has chiefly followed the same, with what success 
it is unnecessary to sa}*. His whole property, stock, 
and also his home, speak too eloquently to be mis- 
understood as to that matter. 

While a resident of Knox County, 111., Mr. Car- 
mine was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss 
Abigail Kays, of Knox County, 111., the event occur- 
ring Jan. 21, 1857. There have come to them 
eight children, five of whom are living, viz. : Henry, 
Mary, Jennie, Susie and George. Henry married 
Miss Katie Pogue, of this county, and lives in this 
precinct; Mary became the wife of Mr. L. B. Ar- 
nott, of Johnson ; Jennie is the wife of Lor in Blake- 
ley, of Johnson Count}', Neb.; the remaining chil- 
dren are still with their parents on the home farm. 

The wife of our subject was born in Knox County, 
111., in the year 1832. She is the daughter of Will- 
iam and Elizabeth (Bracken) Kays. She made her 
home with her parents until her marriage, was edu- 
cated in the schools in Knox County, 111., and is 
well prepared by this and her home training to fill 
any position in the home or society generally. Her 
father was a native of Kentucky, but removed with 
his family to Illinois in 1S24 or 1825, where he Still 
resides in Abingdon, Knox County, and although 
now retired from active engagements is still the 
owner of a large farm, lie was bereaved of his 
wife in the year L870, but subsequently married 



-*^ll^«. 



•»» m * 



222 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



again. Within the communion of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church lie is perfectly at home relig- 
iously, having been a member of the same for about 
sixty years. 

Curtis Carmine, the father of our subject, is a 
native of Maryland, and was born in the year 1814. 
While yet a youth he migrated to Ohio, then the Far 
West, and in that State was married in 1833 to Miss 
Susannah Towers. Besides our subject, they had 
two children, viz. : Susannah and Maria. He was 
a mechanic, and always continued to follow his 
trade. The home was at Circle ville, DeWitt County, 
and there he died in 1873, when about forty years 
of age. 

Having lost his mother when so young, our sub- 
ject has largely had to depend upon himself. He 
is now one of the prominent and much esteemed 
men of Todd Creek Precinct, and indeed of the 
county, and also a very able citizen. He is chiefly 
engaged in general farming, and in the raising of 
cattle, horses and hogs. He raises the best breeds 
of cattle, and in horses confines himself almost en- 
tirely to the heavy road draft horses. 

Frequently has Mr. Carmine been called upon to 
1111 various township and school offices, and is a 
member of the Republican party, but not active as 
a politician, nor eager to take any chief seat in the 
political synagogue. Religiously, he is affiliated 
with the Baptist Church at Long Branch, and is ac- 
counted an able and faithful supporter of the insti- 
tution. 

.!■ 



4 



\l]OHN W. PRATT, a well-known pioneer of 
I Johnson Count} - , was for many years promi- 
! nently identified with its agricultural inter- 
©y ests, whereby he acquired the wealth which 
has enabled him to retire to his pleasant home in 
Sterling to pass the evening of life free from the 
cares of an active business. Mr. Pratt has witnessed 
the growth of this part of the county from a bleak 
prairie to a flourishing little city, and he has as- 
sisted in the development of the country around it. 
When he first came to Nebraska, in 1853, and lo- 
cated in what is now Nemaha County, this State 
had not even been organized as a Territory, and 
there were but few signs of civilization. The small 



number of white settlers that had preceded him 
lived near the Missouri, the interior of the Terri- 
tory being given over to the Indians, buffaloes, 
deer, wolves, and other wild animals, so that al- 
most the entire growth of the State has passed un- 
der the notice of our subject. Brownville, where 
he lived for some years, was a mere trading-post, 
and after his removal to Johnson County, was the 
nearest post-office for some time. The hist post- 
office in Sterling was established in 1807, and was 
kept by John Bentz. The first merchant in the city 
was Charles Tripp, who is still in business here. 
The nearest milling point was below St. Joseph, 
Mo., on the river. 

Mr. Pratt comes of good old Massachusetts stock, 
and is himself a native of that New England State. 
He was born in the city of Boston, Nov. 10, 1830, 
being the eldest of the family of six children, four 
sons and two daughters, born to Enoch and Amanda 
(McGauph) Pratt. His parents went to Bureau 
County, 111., when he was a child of two years, and 
were pioneers of that part of the country, where 
the}' spent the remainder of their lives, the father 
dying in 1801, at the age of sixty-seven years, and 
the mother in 1887, at the venerable age of eighty- 
seven years. The}- led quiet and unostentatious 
lives, guided by the highest principles, and merited 
and received the respect of all who knew them. 

Our subject was reared in Illinois, but in early 
manhood he came to Nebraska, and for some years 
was a resident of Brownville. The first year he 
was in the employ of the Government, under Kit 
Carson, herding cattle that belonged to the United 
States. March 0, 1850, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary O. Smith, and their wedded life has 
been blessed to them by the birth of four children, 
namely: Freelon M. ; Amanda J., now Mrs. Ilersha; 
Olive and Clysta, all of whom are living. 

Mr. and Mrs. Pratt spent the first few years of 
their marriage in Nemaha County, where they were 
quietly living when the war broke out. Fired with 
patriotism and an earnest desire to serve his coun- 
try in her hour of need, our subject enlisted in 1801 
as a member of Company G, 27th Iowa Infantry, 
and for three years was a brave and capable soldier 
on Southern battle-fields, taking part in many a hotly 
contested engagement, and winning a good mili- 




-*•■ 



' *» B «• 



■JOHNSON COUNTY. 



223 



tary record. After the war lie came to Johnson 
County and took up a homestead claim on section 
23, Sterling Precinct, comprising ICO acres of land 
joining' the corporation of Sterling. He has im- 
proved this once wild piece of prairie into a valua- 
ble farm, which he still owns. lie erected a good, 
large frame house, a commodious barn, corn-cribs, 
etc.. and has the land under a fine state of improve- 
ment. After the marriage of his eldest daughter, 
who lives on the homestead, Mr. Pratt and his fam- 
ily moved into the city to their present attractive 
home. 

Our subject is a self-made man, having started in 
life without a dollar, and gained his present com- 
petence only through downright hard labor, sec- 
onded by shrewd management and wise economy. 
He is a man whose genialty, liberality and kind 
thoughtt'ulness have secured him the warm friend- 
ship of man}', and these pleasant social traits make 
hiii] a valued member of Sill Post No. 99, G. A. R., 
and of the F. & A. M., Sterling Lodge No. 70. In 
his political views he is a pronounced Republican. 
His wife and daughter Clysta are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and his daughter 
Amanda and her husband belong to the Presbyter- 
ian Church. 



•^t£» 



t4P 



->^^- 



<fl WILLIAM M. YOUNG. Prominent among 
\jj/l the pioneer farmers of Johnson County is 
Ww the subject of this sketch, who came within 
its limits in the fall of 1865, and homesteaded the 
southeast quarter of section 24, in spring Creek 
Precinct. This land he still owns, it being a part 
of his fine farm of 240 acres, he having added to 
his first purchase, and has brought the whole to a 
tine state of cultivation. Not a furrow had been 
turned on his property at the time of its purchase, 
and there were upon it neither fences nor buildings. 
For the first ten or twelve years lie battled with 
chinch bugs, grasshoppers, drouth and other diffi- 
culties, but his indomitable spirit would allow m. 
such word as '-fail," and it seemed as if in time 
the adverse elements grew weary and gave up the 
struggle in favor of the industrious and persever- 



ing pioneer. He has now emerged from the strug- 
gle, victor in all respects, having a valuable 
property, and being surrounded by all of the com- 
forts and many of the luxuries of life. 

A native of Tipton County, Tcnn., our subject 
was born June 1G, 1830, and is the son of Robert 
and Frances (Ilutchens) Young, the father a native 
of Kentucky, and the mother of North Carolina. 
The paternal ancestors were of Irish origin. Grand- 
father William Y'oung served as a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, and his son Robert, the father 
of our subject, in the War of 1812. The former 
carried several honorable scars as the result of his 
bravery and devotion to duty in that memorable 
conflict, and at one time was taken off the field sup- 
posed to be dead. By careful treatment ami sub- 
sequent good nursing, however, he was revived, and 
lived for many yens to tell the tale. He spent 
his last years in Kentucky. 

The parents of our subject had a family of eight 
children, only two of whom survive — William M. 
and his sister Amanda, the wife of Granville Madi- 
son, of Blue Springs, this State. Those deceased 
were named respectively: James F., Alary J., Ham- 
ilton II., Sarah L., Martha A. and Robert L. The 
father died at the homestead in Tennessee in 183G, 
when our subject was a little lad six years of age. 
The mother survived her husband a period of forty- 
four years, remaining a widow and caring for her 
children as best she could until they were able to 
do for themselves. William M. being the eldest 
son, the care of the family naturally devolved upon 
him as soon as he was old enough to assume it. He 
remained with his mother until his marriage, and 
then took her to his own home, she remaining with 
him until her death, which occurred April 13, 1882, 
where he now lives. .Mrs. Frances Young was a 
lad}- possessing all the Christian virtues, and care- 
fully trained her children in those principles of 
honesty and uprightness which would constitute 
them useful members of society and enable them 
to lead worthy and happy lives. They ever looked 
up to her as their model, and she was spared to 
them until nearly rounding up the sum of four- 
score years. 

The parents of our subject were married in Ken- 
tucky, but soon afterward removed to Tipton 



T 



224 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 






County, Tenn., where the father became a promi- 
nent man in his community, and served as Justice 
of the Peace. Both parents were active members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After the 
death of the father the mother removed with her 
children to Cumberland County, Ky., where our 
subject was reared to manhood on a farm. It was 
necessary for him to begin life's labors as soon as 
he was old enough and strong enough, and he was 
consequently deprived of the advantages of thor- 
ough schooling, but under the encouragement of 
his mother he pursued a course of reading and 
study at home, employing thus his leisure hours, 
and acquired perhaps more real practical informa- 
tion than many who enjoyed the advantages of the 
regular schools. 

Mr. Young was married in Cumberland County, 
Ky., Sept. 9, 1852, to Miss Paulina Rowland, who 
was born in that county, Nov. 11, 1835. Her par- 
ents were Wade and Winnifred (Murphy) Rowland, 
who were natives of Virginia, and spent their last 
years in Kentucky. The year following their mar- 
riage Mr. and Mrs. Young, accompanied by the 
mother of our subject, and James Rowland and 
Milton Scoot, left the Blue Grass regions and took 
up their abode in Mason County, III., where Mr. 
Young farmed on rented land until 1865. The fall 
of that year found him, as we have stated, on his 
journey to Nebraska Territory. 

The neighbors of our subject were few and far 
between at the time of his coming to Johnson 
County, he being one of the very first settlers of 
his neighborhood, and is consequently one of its 
oldest residents. He has always taken a leading 
part in local affairs, serving as Treasurer of the 
School Board in his district, and filling other posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility. He has watched 
with warm interest the growth and development of 
his adopted State, and reflects with pardonable 
pride upon the fact that he has contributed his 
share in the building up of Johnson County. Both 
he and his estimable wife occupy a higli position 
socially, aud the latter has been for many years a 
member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Young there have been born 
t.velve children, eight sons and four daughters, 



three of whom died in infancy. The survivors are: 
Lauran O. ; James F., carrying on farming in Spring 
Creek Precinct; Mary J., the wife of Abner Jones, 
of Helena Precinct; John W., Robert M., Martha 
A., William M. and Orlando T., at home with their 
parents. They are a bright and interesting group, 
and have received careful home training, besides a 
practical education in the district schools. Manila 
F., the fourth child, died when two years old. 

— **»*> — 



j^4 ICII AEL STANTON, one of the representa- 
tive and prosperous farmers of Todd Creek 
Precinct, one of the first settlers therein, is 
now the owner of 160 acres of fine agri- 
cultural land on section 18. This he took up as a 
homestead when he first came to the State. That 
his choice has been a wise one has been fully mani- 
fested by the course of events. It is all under cul- 
tivation, either in grain or tame grass, the latter 
for hay and pasture. 

The birthplace of our subject was in Oneida 
County, N. Y., where he was born July 26, 1838. 
There he spent the first seventeen years of his 
life, was educated in the district schools, and 
subsequently turned his attention to farming, pro- 
posing to make that his life occupation. Accom- 
panying his parents, he removed to Knox County, 
111., in the year 1855, and continued to make his 
home in that State until he came here in 1867. 

In Knox Count}', 111., April 13, 1862, was cele- 
brated the marriage of our subject with Miss Emily 
Hall, of Knox County, 111. There have been born 
to them nine children, eight of whom are living, 
whose names are as follows: Lillian, Cora, Charles, 
Florence, Irena, Jennie, Harry and Pearl. The eld- 
est child, whose name was Eva May, is deceased. 
The children of our subject are receiving the best 
educational opportunities and excellent home train- 
ing it is within the power of their parents to give. 
Some are engaged in teaching, and that with con- 
siderable success. All are still under the home 
roof, and the family circle, with the above-named 
exception, is unbroken. 

The father of our subject, whose given name 
also was Michael, was a native of the Emerald Isle, 




*T^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



225 , 



and was born in Ireland aliout 1810. He came to 
this country when a youth, and subsequently be- 
came the husband of Catherine Ennis. He followed 
agricultural pursuits in Oneida County, N. V. 

They became the parents of six children, all of 
whom are now living and occupying honorable po- 
sitions in life. Mr. Stanton went West in the year 
1854, locating in Illinois, where he made his home 
until his death. 

Coming to Nebraska in 1866, our subject made 
every possible effort to succeed, and has done SO 
beyOnd expectation. There is a splendid grove of 
seven acres which he put out when first taking the 
homestead, and they are now quite large trees. lie 
has not forgotten to plant an extensive orchard of 
apple, peach, cherry, plum, and other trees that are 
known to thrive well in this climate. The farm is 
utilized as a grain and stock farm. He usually has 
from thirty to forty head of high-grade Short-horns, 
besides other cattle. He is an earnest advocate of 
the practice of dehorning cattle. He was among 
the first to introduce the red polled Northup cattle 
in the county, which he now uses for breeding pur- 
poses. In horses lie prefers and uses the Percheron 
stock, and owns about six or eight head. His 
house, which he built in 1883, is one of comfort ami 
convenience, and has given him so far as the build- 
ing is concerned, a most pleasant and comfortable 
home. 

Mr. Stanton has not been forward in political 
matters, or a leader in political circles. He usually 
voles with the Democratic party, and has held the 
Office of School Director, and also some of the town- 
ship offices. He is well respected throughout the 
community, and held in regard as a man, friend and 
citizen, and also because he has made a success of 
his life so far as it pertains to his chosen occupa- 
tion. 



r 5 



<fl BARREN II. HOLMES, junior partner of the 
wJi firm of Rassell& Holmes, the old estab- 

\jyv{/ lished and substantial banking- house of 
Tecumseh, was born in Jefferson, Jefferson Co., 
Wis., on the 5th of August, ls4'.). He there re- 
ived his education, and after completing the cur- 

..,,1,,,., ,.f «„„]»,. institutions, he tool, a course of 



cei 

riculuin of regular i 



instruction in the Jefferson Liberal Institute, and 
upon completing his education engaged in busi- 
ness as a book-Seller and stationer, and was Deputy 
Postmaster under his brother, C. A. Holmes, for 
about five years. 

In September. 1873, our subject came to Tecum- 
seh. and from that time has been connected with 
the above linn, excepting when he has been absent 
upon duties connected with his official position, 
as for instance in 1875, when he was in the State 
Auditor's office, when he removed to Lincoln for 
about a year. He has served upon the Council sev- 
eral times, and also on the School Board. He has. 
with much satisfaction to those concerned, filled the 
offices of both City Clerk and City Treasurer. In 
political matters he is a warm friend of the Repub- 
lican party, and is ever actively engaged in its 
interests. He is one of the prominent and repre- 
sentative citizens of Tecumseh. and is with all quite 
popular. Both he and his wife are members in 
good standing of the Universalist Church at Te- 
cumseh. and are never tired of actively engaging 
in its support. In addition to the banking busi- 
ness proper, he is interested in the canning factory, 
and is also Treasurer of the Tecumseh Savings 
Bank. 

In the sketch of the life of Hon. C. A. Holmes. 
presented upon another page, will be found refer- 
ence to the family history of this gentleman, to 
which the interested reader is referred for such in- 
formation as may be desired upon that point. Mr. 
Holmes was united in marriage with Miss Flora M. 
Seaver, of Jefferson. Wis., celebrating the same 
upon the 13th of December, 1875. Their union has 
been happily consummated by the birth of four 
children, three of whom it is their privilege to have 
Spared to them. These are still at home, receiving 
the best education that can be obtained. Their 
names are recorded as John 1>.. Chandler W. and 
Eunice. 

Mi>> Flora M. Seaver was born in the above 
county, oil the 13th of June, 1850. She is the 
daughter of Samuel R. Seaver. I ler mother died 
during the early infancy of t his daughter, and from 
then until her marriage she made her home with 
an older Bister. Her father was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, in which State he wa> born in 1800. In 



^h-* 



a 



226 



■*+ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



f 



the early days of settlement in Wisconsin he mi- 
grated thitherward and was among its first settlers. 
The maiden name of his wife was Diantha Thomp- 
son. They were the parents of seven children, six 
of whom attained their majority. His wife died 
about the year 1853, and he subsequently remar- 
ried. Mr. Seaver died in Jefferson in 1863. lie 
was an extensive and enterprising farmer, but dur- 
ing the last eight or ten years of life did not do 
any active work. 

Mr. Warren II. Holmes is the owner of a resi- 
dence property in Tecumseh, and is otherwise inter- 
ested in city real estate. His home is located on 
the corner of Fifth and Sheridan streets, and is one 
of the finest locations in the city, lie is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, and has served the latter 
in some of its offices, and is now Junior Deacon of 
his lodge. Mrs. Holmes, who takes the deepest in- 
terest in all benevolent enterprises, is a lady of 
position in the community, both admired and re- 
spected. She is ex-Secretary of the Women's lie- 
lief Corps, ■ and very energetic and thorough in 
everything that pertains to the order, more espe- 
cially her department of the work. 



-£3=Hr= 



kEWIS 



t— r 



<j|7 EWIS H. DETERMANN. The agricult- 
interests of Lincoln Precinct have in 
subject of this biographical epitome a 
worthy representative. He is a native of Prussia, 
and was born in that Kingdom on the 17th of 
February, 1820. His present residence is on sec- 
tion 6 of township 5 north, range 12 east. His 
property there comprises eighty acres. He is the sec- 
ond eldest son of Henry and Lena Determann, both 
of whom are natives of Prussia. 

The parents of our subject emigrated to America 
in the year 1834. taking passage at Bremen in a 
sailing-vessel that landed in the city of Baltimore 
after eight weeks upon the Atlantic. From the Mon- 
umental City they removed to Trumbull County, 
Ohio, almost at once, and were pioneers of that 
county, where they made their home until they 
wei'e called to cross that bourne from which no 
traveler returns. At that time they were each 



about eighty-two years of age. Of their four chil- 
dren only our subject and his sister Louisa are 
living. She is the wife of Theodore Graff, a prom- 
inent citizen of Trumbull County, Ohio. 

At the time his parents settled in Ohio our sub- 
ject was about fourteen years of age. He had re- 
ceived some education in the schools of his native 
country, but also attended those of Trumbull 
County. He gave his attention to farming and to 
the care of stock, and was able to render very ef- 
ficient help in that regard. On the 15th of August, 
1844. he received in marriage the hand of Lydia 
Bailey, die amiable daughter of Jesse and Mary 
Bailey, of Trumbull, Ohio. She was born July 
8, 1823. Their union has been consummated by 
the birth of seven children, three living, viz. : 
Mary J., who is happily married to Enoch Ileltzel, 
of Polk County, Iowa; Henry L., and Emma, the 
wife of M. B. Case, of Gage County, Neb. The 
names of the deceased children were: Henry, 
Nancy and Martha ; besides these there was an in- 
fant who died unnamed. 

In the year 1854 our subject, who had been un- 
til that time engaged as a collier in Trumbull 
County, removed to Henry County, 111., where he 
resided until the spring of 1879, when he with bis 
family removed to this State, settling upon the 
farm still occupied by them. It is some eighty acres 
in extent, and is one of the productive and well 
cultivated farms of the precinct. He has brought 
it to this condition, and to his labor is due the 
present improved order of things, seeing that it was 
wild prairie land simply at the time he took pos- 
session, which is all the more creditable because of 
the fact that he started life minus the help that is 
usually given by parents to their sons, but which 
in the case of our subject was impossible. 

When the call to arms was made, in 1802, our 
subject responded with alacrity, enlisting on the 
15th of August of that year in Company K, 112th 
Illinois Infantry. His regiment was attached 
to the Army of the Tennessee, Gen. Sherman com- 
manding. They participated in the battles of 
Lookout Mountain, Resaca, siege of Atlanta, Co- 
lumbus, Franklin, siege of Nashville, after which 
the}' were transferred to North Carolina, where 
they assisted in the capture of the forts at Frisber 



1 




i 



<- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



227 



4- 



in the Peninsula; in the taking of Wilmington, 
from which place they went to Riley, thence to 
Greensboro, N. C, where they were finally dis- 
charged in July, 18G5. Upon one occasion Mr. 
Determann was captured in Kentucky and was a 
paroled prisoner of war for six months, during 
which time lie performed detached duty in the bar- 
racks at Louisville, Ky. 

Leaving the military service our subject returned 
to Henry County, 111., continuing there until he 
came to this State. lie and his wife are now in 
the prime of life, and are happy in being in a po- 
sition socially fully to enjoy the success in life that 
has come to them. Both are active members of 
the Christian ('lunch, and in that connection and 
every other circle are well received and greatly re- 
spected. In politics our subject was at one time a 
Whig, but since its establishment has been with the 
Republican party. He is a deeply interested mem- 
ber in the G. A. R., and is attached to the post 
at Tecumseh. 



pjVENJAMIN ARCHER. Among those who 
have taken part in the work of bringing 
Johnson County to its present high position 
in the State is the subject of this epitome, 
who was born in Plymouth, Vt., on the 22d of 
March, 1824, and is the son of John W. and Sarah 
(Lusher) Archer. Until he was about fifty-four 
years of age our subject lived in his native State, 
and from his boyhood has for the most part been 
occupied with agricultural pursuits and manufact- 
uring. After attaining to his young manhood he 
worked out as a farm hand until the time of his 
marriage. 

Miss Lorinda M. Ilolden and the subject of our 
sketch were united in matrimony at Reading, Vt., 
in June, 184.S, Mr. Archer being lit that time twen- 
ty-four years of age. There were born to them 
six children, only two of whom survive, and 
they are married. Mrs. Archer was born in Read- 
ing, Vt., in January, 1828, to Willard and Sally 
Holden. and is one of four children born to them. 
She made the acquaintance of our subject at Ply- 
mouth, Vt., which finally resulted in their marriage. 




On the 18th of March, 1883, our subject was again 
married, taking as his wife Jane Klkhorn, of Penn- 
sylvania. 

Death has been busy in this family, and the obit- 
uary list has lengthened to what would, perhaps, 
seem of undue length. The father of our subject 
died in Vermont, at the age of seventy-five years, 
passing to his rest on the 24th of August, 1858. 
The mother died on the 31st of October, 1857, 
aged seventy-eight years. Julia I., the daughter 
of our subject, died on the 1st of November, 1863, 
aged six years; her sister Abbie A. on the 22d of 
December of the same year, aged five years; and 
Hiram P. died in Manchester, N. EL, early in the 
year 1882, at the age of thirty-three years. 

Mr. Archer landed in Sterling, this State, on the 
10th of February, 1870, and since that time has 
been identified with the State, and is by no means 
behind his neighbors in his efforts to advance the 
common weal. At first he worked for some time 
with his brother Joseph, whose life is also noticed 
in this work, but after one or two years thus spent 
he hired as a farm hand to John Humph;, near Crab 
Orchard. He staid with that gentleman about four 
years, and then bought his present home, which is 
situated on the southeast corner of section 35 of 
Sterling Precinct. This was in August of 1880. 
After finishing his engagement with Mr. Humple 
he boarded with Mr. Peter Yates until his marriage, 
when he at once came to his home and began to 
operate his own land. 

The farm of our subject in the beginning in- 
cluded but 1G0 acres. He had purchased three 
1 60-acre farms in Jefferson County, in 1869, and 
two of these he traded for his present home, which 
was partially improved. It had upon it a small but 
comfortable dwelling, and about 100 acres in culti- 
vation, but now it is all brought to a high state of 
cultivation and fertility. About thirty-five acres 
are fenced and used as pasture. He has two good 
dwellings, an excellent barn and every other neces- 
sary building. He is also the owner of two resi- 
dences in Sterling, which he rents, so that he is now 
well off, and has the gratification of knowing that 
what he has accomplished is but the result of the 
strenuous efforts made by lawful ambition to im- 
prove his position in life. He is a good manager, 



*r 



"^T* 



228 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




4 



thrifty, business like, and a man of honor and char- 
acter. He is one of the esteemed members of the 
Baptist Church at Sterling, and a standi adherent 
to and worker with the Republican party. 

-» -»♦♦- <+£$£>$ +«■■•- 

ICHAEL CHILE began his hand-to-hand 
Struggle with a portion of the primitive 
soil of Lincoln Precinct in this county in 
the fall of 1870, when he purchased 160 
acres of land on section 1(5, where he has since 
labored with the most admirable results. At that 
time his neighbors were comparatively distant, and 
the country around him bore little resemblance to 
its present condition He endured the hardships 
common to the people of that time and place, and 
for a series of years labored early and late to build 
up a homestead and acquire a competency for his 
declining years. He is still in his prime, having 
been born Dec. 3, 1839, at the modest home of his 
patents in Wayne County, Ohio. 

.John and Elizabeth (Reighard) Crile, the parents 
of our subject, were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
of substantial German ancestry. They were peo- 
ple occupying a good standing in the community, 
and after their marriage left their native State, 
probably about 1825, settling among the pioneers 
of Wayne County, Ohio, where they resided until 
about ten years after the birth of their son Michael. 
In 1849 the father changed his residence to Henry 
County, 111., whence in the year 1863 he migrated 
across the Mississippi to Central City, Col. He now, 
with his aged and excellent partner, is enjoying the 
comforts of a quiet home in Nebraska. The father 
has attained his fourscore years, while the mother is 
seventy-eight. They have been remarkable for 
their useful and active lives, wherein they have 
gathered around them hosts of friends, whose es- 
teem and confidence they enjoy in a remarkable 
degree. • 

To the parents of our subject were born twelve 
children, of whom the following survive: Michael, 
our subject; Maria, the wife of Jacob Fries, of this 
State; Catherine, Mrs. John Cochran, of Central 
City, Col.; Sophia, the wife of Lewis Graff, of this 
count}-, where also live Franklin and John; Sarah, 



the wife of Major Bitton, of Central City, Col.; 
George, in Henry County, 111., and Emma, wife of 
Jacob Summers, of this county. The parents were 
members of the German Evangelical Association, 
and held in highest respect among the early settlers 
of Wayne County, where they endured in common 
with their neighbors the lot of the pioneer, and as- 
sisted in the development of the country around 
them. Michael removed with his parents to Henry 
County, III., where he attained his majority, receiv- 
ing but a limited education, the advantages of the 
young men of that day being widely different 
from those enjoyed by the present generation. He 
assisted his father in building up the two homesteads 
in Ohio and Illinois, remaining a member of the 
parental household until the outbreak of the Civil 
War. 

On the 11th of August, 18(i2, our subject prof- 
fered his services as a soldier of the Union, enlist- 
ing in Company K, 112th Illinois Infantry, which 
became a part of Sherman's army, but later was as- 
signed to the command of Gen. Thomas. Mr. 
Crile participated in the battles of the Atlanta cam- 
paign, including the siege of that city, was also in 
the battles at Columbus and Franklin, Tenn., and 
the siege of Nashville. Later he was at Knoxville 
under Gen. Burnside, and subsequently at Ft. An- 
derson, N. C, also fighting at Goldsboro and at Ral- 
eigh, where the rebel General. Johnston, surrendered. 
He was twice cut off from his regiment by the 
rebels, first at Richmond, Ky., and the second time 
in the vicinity of Cumberland Gap. He, however, 
managed to escape capture, and rejoined his com- 
rades safe and sound. He endured in common the 
hardships and privations of life in the army, being 
found uniformly at the post of duty, and on the 
20th of June, 1865, after the close of the war, re- 
ceived his honorable discharge. 

Mr. Crile upon leaving the army returned to 
Henry County, 111., where he engaged in farming 
until his marriage. This most important event in his 
life was celebrated in September, 1867, his bride 
being Miss Catherine, daughter of John Schumann, 
one of the pioneers of Lincoln Precinct, and of 
whom further mention is made in the sketch of 
Henry Schumann, which will be found on another 
page in this volume. After remaining the faithful 



=fcf* 



W-^- 



i*H|--*» 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



229 



and affectionate companion of ber husband for a 

period of twenty years, Mrs. Crile departed this 
life at her home in Lincoln Precinct, Oct. 26, 1887. 
She was a lady greatly beloved by her friends and 
family, as one possessed of all the Christian virtues, 
a devoted wife and mother, and a kind and charita- 
ble neighbor. She left a vacancy in the home 
circle which can never be filled. She was the mother 
of five children, namely: Charles, .John, Nannie N., 
Frank and William. The eldest of these is twenty- 
one years of age and the youngest two, and they 
all remain at home with their father. 

The Crile homestead is especially noticeable for 
its fine improvements, the fruit and shade trees 
which surround the dwelling providing a shelter 
from the heats of summer and the storms of winter. 
Mr. Crile has planted an apple orchard of 140 trees 
besides trees of the smaller fruits, which haveyet to 
develop to their full capacities. The farm is well 
improved and under a good state of cultivation, 
indicating its owner to lie a man of untiring indus- 
try and excellent judgment. He commenced life 
dependent upon his own exertions, having been the 
recipient of no legacy to assist him to a competency, 
lie takes a genuine interest in the advancement of 
his adopted county, being the encourager of those 
enterprises which shall further the interests of its 
people. As an ex-soldier he is a member in good 
standing of the G. A. R., belonging to Ilickathorn 
Post No. 47, at Tecumseh, and politically, is an un- 
compromising Democrat. 



.^.•(erLA^A^-ofo.. 



K. CARLTON K. CHUBBUCK, well known 

as one of Hie oldest practicing physicians 
and surgeons of Teeumseli. has followed 
the duties of his profession at this point 
and vicinity for a period of seventeen years. He 
is in the enjoyment of a line patronage from the 
best people of this part of the county, among whom 
his has Keen a familiar figure, and whose confi- 
dence and esteem he enjoys in a marked degree. 
As a physician he is careful and skillful, and as a 
citizen has been no unimportant factor in advancing 

the best interests of his adopted city. 

Our subject is of New England ancestry, his 




father, James Chubbuck, having been born in the 
town of Wellington, Tolland Co., Conn., April 5, 
1801. He lived there a few years after reaching 
manhood, then migrated to the vicinity of Orwell, 
in Bradford County. Pa., where he became owner 
of a trad of land, ami carried on farming success- 
fully until his death, which occurred Feb. 7, 1*7:!. 
He became a prominent citizen of that region, hold- 
ing many of its important offices, including those of 
Register of Deeds. Associate Justice. Supervisor, and 
all of the township offices, lie was a member in 

e 1 standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

in which he officiated as Class-Leader from 1837 to 
1873, and Superintendent of a Sunday-school, which 
he organized, for a period of thirty-live years. He 
»as also Recording Secretary of the church thirty- 
three years. It will thus lie seen that his organ of 
benevolence was developed to a large degree, as 
these volunteer duties occupied a large portion of 
his time and attention. 

James Chubbuck in early manhood was married 
to .Miss Pamelia Keeney, the wedding taking place 
in Black Walnut. Pa., in 1820. They had a family 
of four children, all of whom lived until the year 
1887, and of whom Carlton K.. our subject, was the 
youngest. The mother departed this life at her 
home in Orwell, Bradford Co., Pa., Oct. 21, 1837. 
Grandfather Keeney carried on general merchan- 
dising in Wyoming County, Pa. On the paternal 
side Nathaniel Chubbuck. the grandfather of our 
subject, was a native of Wellington. Conn., which 
had been the home of the family for several genera- 
tions. They were mostly farmers by occupation. 
The paternal grandmother. Mrs. Cliloe ( Katon) 
Chubbuck, died Oct. II, 1832, in Orwell. Pa., hav- 
ing survived her husband eigbl years, his death 
taking place in 1824. They were the parents of 
twelve children. Soon after the death of this 
worthy couple one of their children died, leaving 
a family of eleven — the first death occurring in the 
family within sixty-one years ami five months. 
The average age of the fen sons was seventy-five 
years and six months, the youngest dying when 
o\ er seventy-one years old. 

Rev. Austin E. Chubbuck. a paternal uncle of 
our subject, was a minister of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, belonging to the Central New York 



*►*-*• 



*~Hh 



230 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 






*t 



Conference. Rev. Francis S. belonged to the 
Wyoming (Pennsylvania) Conference. John is 
a practicing physician of Binghamton, N. Y.; Dr. II. 
S., of Elmira, N. Y. Rev. Nathaniel C. is a resident 
of Pennsylvania. These comprised the professional 
men among the ten sons. The others were engaged 
in mercantile business or fanning, with the excep- 
tion of Hon. Aaron Chubbuck, of Pennsylvania. 
who was Judge of the District Court for many 

years. 

The subject of this sketch was horn at Orwell, 
Bradford Co.. Pa., Oct. 31, 1*37. He pursued 
his studies in the Orwell Seminary for a time, and 
commenced the reading of medicine at Bingham- 
ton and Elmira, N. V.. under the instruction of two 
uncles, being with each about two years. He took 
a course of lectures in the Susquehanna Medical Col- 
lege at Binghamton, from which he was graduated in 
March, 1859. Subsequently he went to New Or- 
leans during the prevalence of yellow fever, and 
was employed in the prescription department of the 
drug-store of the Brewer-Diver Drug Company, 
being thus occupied one year and nine months. 
Then by the advice of friends he returned North, 
in advance of the Rebellion, locating in Morrison, 
111. 

Dr. Chubbuck contracted a matrimonial alliance 
with Miss Frances F. Lawton, of Dixon, Lee Co.. 
111., Feb. '21. 18(50. They took up their residence 
at Lockport, 111., hut one and one-half years later 
removed to Lyndon. Whiteside County, where, dur- 
ing a practice of five years Dr. Chubbuck built up 
a lucrative business. Desirous of a change, how- 
ever, he removed to Dixon, 111., and thence, in 
February, 1871, came to this county. Here he was 
at once recognized as a man of more than ordinary 
ability, and it was not long until he received calls 
from far and wide, compassing many miles. The 
country was comparatively new at the time of his 
coming here, and he has watched with the keenest 
interest the changes which have transformed the 
uncultivated land into productive farms, where at 
intervals have sprung up thriving villages. Dr. 
Chubbuck has held the office of Coroner in Johnson 
County for a period of thirteen years, and officiated 
as a Trustee of the School Board, besides occupy- 
ing other responsible positions, lie identified him- 



self with tin' I. O. O. F. while a resident ofTecmn- 
seh, and has" since become a member of the A. o. 
F. W. In religious matters he is in accord with 
the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of which he has been a member as Trustee in Te- 
cumseh since the time of taking up his residence 
here. He for five years officiated as Superintend- 
ent of the Sunday-school, and until he was obliged 
to withdraw on account of the pressure of other 
duties. 

.Mrs. Chubbuck is the daughter of Charles Law- 
ton, a native of England and now deceased. She 
was horn in Wyoming County, Fa., June 2. 1836, 
and accompanied her parents to Illinois in 1853, 
remaining with them until her marriage. Her father 
was horn in Lincolnshire. England, and emigrated 
to America in 183(5, settling in Pennsylvania, where 
he engaged in farming for seventeen years. His 
deatli occurred near Dixon. 111.. May 2;!. 1888, after 
he had reached the aye of seventy-five years. The 
mother had preceded her husband to the silent land. 
her death taking place in Illinois in 1856. Mr. 
Lawton was a second time married, and the last 
wife survives him. He was a good man in the 
broadest sense of the term, and a prominent worker 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he 
was connected many years, holding its responsible 
offices. He was also prominent in local affairs. 

To our subject and his wife there have been born 
four children, two only of whom are living, daugh- 
ters. Jennie and Bessie. The former is the wife of 
Kev. P. ('. Johnson, a minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in the Nebraska Conference. Mr. 
and Mrs. C. have an adopted son, Joseph F... who 
is now eighteen years of age. and continues with 
his foster parents. Bessie, aged fourteen years, 
remains witli her parents. 

SHOMAS GOODMAN. The240-acre farm of 
^ this enterprising agriculturist is finely located 
on section 35 of Spring Creek Precinct. 
Upon coming to this locality, in the spring of 1875, 
he purchased first eighty acres for which he paid 
the sum of *1,200. He began in earnest the im- 
provement of his purchase, and assisted by a most 




•4- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



231 



; 4 



intelligent, sensible and industrious wife, has ac- 
cumulated the present fine property, and is num- 
bered among the leading men of his neighborhood. 

Mr. Goodman has found stock-raising especially 
profitable, and to this industry devotes particular 
attention. lie was reared from his youth up to 
habits of industry and economy, and is the de- 
scendant of substantial English ancestry, compris- 
ing honest men and virtuous women, people of 
temperate habits, and who generally accumulated a 
goodly amount of property, making comfortable 
homes for themselves and families. 

Our subject was born in (Sussex County, England, 
Aug. 9, 1843, and is the son of James and Esther 
(High wood) Goodman, natives of the same, where 
they were reared, married, and where the mother 
lived until their son Thomas was a lad four years 
of age. The father died when he was a child of two 
years. The family then removed from Sussex to 
Kent County, where they sojourned probablyabout 
six years, and then Thomas, returning to Sussex, 
began working for himself on a farm. He was then 
a lad of only nine or ten years old, and employed 
himself at whatever he could find to do until about 
fifteen years old. He was a thoughtful and ambi- 
tious boy, and not making the headway he desired, 
resolved to seek his fortunes on the other side of 
the Atlantic. Engaging passage on the steamer 
"City of Baltimore," bound from Liverpool to 
New York City, he set foot upon American soil 
about two weeks latter, and proceeded at once 
westward to Wisconsin, living on a farm in Wau- 
kesha County until the outbreak of the late war. 

Young Goodman, now a youth of eighteen years, 
and fully identified with the interests of his adopted 
country, proffered his service in support of the 
Union, and enlisted Sept. 16, 1861, in the 6th Wis- 
consin Battery Light Artillery, which became a part 
of the Army of the Tennessee. He participated in 
the capture of Island No. 10, was at the siege and 
the subsequent battle of Corinth after its evacua- 
tion, took part in the Yazoo expedition, fought at 
Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Black River, 
and at the siege of Vicksburg, being at the latter 
place under fire for some forty-seven days. Al- 
though experiencing some hairbreadth escapes he 
came out of the conflict unharmed, and with his 



company was transferred to the 3d Uivison, I5th 
Army Corps, being transferred from the command 
of Gen. Mcl'herson to that of the late lamented (Jen. 
Logan. Under the latter he participated in the fight 
at Mission Ridge, and met the enemy in various 
other minor engagements and skirmishes. He was 
always at his post for roll call, and was never con- 
fined in the hospital, and at the expiration of his 
term of enlistment received his honorable discharge 
in November, 18G4. 

After retiring from service Mr. Goodman re- 
turned to his old haunts in Wisconsin. His youth- 
ful experience in England had made him strong and 
self-reliant, although his education had been neg- 
lected, but he kept his eyes open to passing events, 
and we find him more intelligent and well informed 
than many with a more careful education. In Wis- 
consin, after the war, he employed himself at differ- 
ent occupations, having in view the establishment of 
a home and domestic ties, and on the 23d of Novem- 
ber, 1865, was wedded to Miss Phebe A. Phippin, 
a native of Waukesha County. Mrs. Goodman was 
born Jan. 1, 1845, and is the daughter of Thomas 
and Ann (Horn) Phippin, who were natives of En- 
gland. The father died in 1846 in Wisconsin, and 
the mother is now the wife of Worthy Luce, of 
Lincoln Precinct, this county. Mr. P. and his wile 
emigrated to America before their marriage, set- 
tling at once in Wisconsin with their parents. After 
marriage the father carried on niillwrighting in Wau- 
kesha County until his death in December, 1847. 
The mother came to Nebraska after her second 
marriage, having been a resident of this county, 
now (1889) about fifteen years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Goodman immediately after their 
marriage reft Wisconsin and settled in the vicinity 
of Hebron, Porter Co., Ind., where Mr. G. carried 
on farming, and in connection therewith conducted 
a broom factory about four years. He then re- 
turned to the State of Wisconsin, and resided there 
until the spring of the year 1875, which witnessed 
his advent in this region. He was welcomed to 
this community as a worthy addition to its ranks, 
and has interested himself in the general welfare of 
the people around him and encouraging the enter- 
prises calculated for the general good, contributing 
to this end as he has time and opportunity. He has 



T 



•►Hl^ 



••*- 



232 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



served as Moderator in this district a number of 
years, and uniformly votes the straight Republican 
ticket. Both he and his estimable wife are members 
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in which Mr. G. has served as Sunday-school Su- 
perintendent, and is now a Class-Leader, besides 
filling other positions of trust. 

The seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Goodman 
are recorded as follows: George T. was born Nov. 
15, 1866; Esther A. and Arthur J. (twins) were 
born Nov. 9, 1870; Worthy E., Aug. 22, 1872; Jo- 
seph B., July 3, 1875; Pearl S., Dec. 18, 1877; So- 
phie Z., March 2, 1887. 



-i>»^»»^*a?< 



>^«f *>^«tf-< 



*t 



[P_ERMA:N ERNST. Among the representa- 
iTji tive German- American citizens of Lincoln 
£^' Precinct, the subject of our sketch is one 
(v§|) most worthy of mention in a volume of this 
description. He is a well-to-do farmer and the 
owner of a well-kept and productive property of 
Kill acres on section 8, township 5 north, range 12 
cast. He was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 
9th of August, 1843, and is the son of Martin F. L. 
and Josephine Ernst, and the second of three 
children born to them. 

Our subject was carefully and well educated in 
the schools of his native country receiving especially 
such instruction as would fit him for the commer- 
cial world and for the position of book-keeper, 
which he continued to hold for eight years in con- 
nect ion with a large retaii grocery and dry-goods 
establishment in Hanover. Upon making up his 
mind to emigrate to the United States, he took pass- 
age at Hamburg, in October, I860, in the steamer 
"Saxonia," which landed him after a voyage of 
twenty-one days in the city of New York, whence 
he proceeded direct to Moline, 111., where he began 
farming as a hired hand, continuing the same for 
three years. Leaving Moline he went to Benton 
County, Iowa, and there purchased a farm, which 
he continued successfully to operate until he re- 
moved to this county in the winter of 1872. 

On coming to Nebraska our subject purchased 
160 acres of land which hestill owns. His marriage 
was celebrated on the 17th of August, 1869, when 



he was allied with Mary Delfs, a compatriot. Of 
this union there have been born three children, 
viz: William II.. born June 7. 1870; Josephine, 
Oct. 1, 1873, and Amanda, in 1874. 

There were but eight acres of ground broken 
upon bis farm at the time Mr. Ernst made his pur- 
chase. His commodious, well-built farm residence 
and all other improvements have been made by 
him. and are the effect, the cause of which must be 
sought in his determination to succeed and patient, 
persevering industry. His character is such as to 
command and receive the confidence and esteem of 
all who know him, especially such as have watched 
his upward progress. He has had good success in 
the raising of high-grade cattle and horses, and 
must certainly be classed among the leading stock- 
raisers and farmers of the precinct. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ernst are old and active mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church, having been con- 
nected with it from their youth. He is at present 
serving as Moderator of the School Board in his 
district and takes deep interest in the work per- 
taining thereto, and for thirteen years has served 
with much satisfaction to all concerned as School 
Director. In politics he is a Democrat, but is too 
whole souled and liberal to be bound by party or 
policy where they conflict with personal worth and 
principle. 

— i .. ^r8gs=^ '*H — 

yplLLIAM C. REDFIELD is the son of the 
highly respected F. A. Redfield, of whom a 
Wyi sketch will be found upon another page of 
this volume. Our subject resides upon the old 
homestead, which is situated on section 22 of 
Western Precinct. lie is among the most promising 
of young farmers and stock-raisers in the county, 
and because of his many personal traits and char- 
acteristics is most favorably regarded by the com- 
munity. 

The place of the nativity of Mr. Redfield is near 
Elmwood, Peoria Co.. III., this interesting event 
occurring on the 30th of December, 1861. His father, 
Frank A. Redfield, lived there until the year 
L868, when he removed to Shenandoah, Iowa, and 
after some wanderings and perigrinations to and fro 
finally settled in the spring of 1 870 as stated above, 




-*•- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



233 



4- 



which has since continued the property of this 
family. The farm has by no means depreciated in 
value because it is under the care of our subject, 
nor is it any the less carefully cultivated, per contra, 
his ambition and enthusiasm have caused him to 
lend such care and labor so assiduously as to more 
than retain the high standard of excellency to 
which it had been brought by the father. 

Being attracted by the graces and virtues of Mary 
E. Barrett, daughter of Charles Barrett, of Urook- 
port, N. Y., and all necessary arrangements having 
been made, our subject was united in marriage with 
this lad\ on the 17th of June, 1885. She was born 
in Monroe County, N. Y., but always having lived 
upon a farm she is the better enabled to enter into 
the life of our subject and appreciate it in all its 
pails. She is a lady well educated, possessing much 
innate refinement, and has always moved in good 
society. Although she has never taught school 
she has been adjudged worthy of so doing. The 
livesofboth Mr. and Mrs. Kedlield have been more 
complete since their most happy union. 

The subject of our sketch has not at present 
taken a very prominent place in the political arena, 
although quite capable of so doing should he de- 
sire; being a comparatively young man with a 
bright future before him. there is yet opportunity 
for him in this direction. He has always been an 
ardent Republican, ever ready to do what lies in 
his power in support of its principles. 



^sis^ 



/p^)EORGE W. SAPPcame to Nebraska when 
iff <=, a young man, in 1867, the year it was ad- 

\^|| mittcd into the Union as a State, and has 
practically "grown up with the country." He 
knows all about life in pioneer days, and endured 
his -hare of the difficulties incident to prosecuting 
agriculture in a new section of country. He now 
has a good homestead on section 12. Lincoln Pre- 
cinct, which he built up from the uncultivated prai- 
rie, and by untiring industry and perseverance has 
gained for himself a competency for his declining 
years. 

A native of Portage County, Ohio, our subject 

was born Dec. 21. 181(1. and is the son of Isaac and 



Susan (Miller) Sapp. Hie father' a native of Mary- 
land, ami the mother of Pennsylvania. Both were 
of German ancestry, and the mother's family espe- 
cially of note and prominence. The parental house- 
hold embraced five children, but two of whom are 
living, our subject and his brother Henry F., who 
is a resident of Nuckolls County, this Stale. The 
deceased children are Samuel, John and Loretta. 
The mother departed this life at their home in John- 
son County. Xeh.. in 187!>. .The father survived 
until 1884, dying when about seventy-three pears 
Of age. lie was born in 18(111, and his estimable 
wife two years later, in 1«1 1. 

The parents of our subject, when tin' latter was 
two years old, left, Ohio and took up their abode in 
Noble County, Ind., where the father carried on 
farming, and where they lived until 1856. In that 
year they decided to push on still further West- 
ward, and coming to the Territory of Nebraska, 
settled in Nemaha County when there were few in- 
dications of a white man's presence. They battled 
with the elements of a, new soil in that, region for a 
period of eleven years, then came to Lincoln Pre- 
cinct, this county, where they were numbered among 
iis most highly respected citizens. Both parents 
were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and adorned their profession by their Christian walk 
and conversation. The father usually held some 
church office, and in his neighborhood as well as 
the home circle, proved himself ever the consider- 
ate and capable man and citizen, whose memory is 
held in kindly remembrance by all who knew him. 
He was fairly successful in business, and was a mem- 
ber of the Republican parly from the time of its 
organization. 

( )ur subject was reared to man's estate in Nemaha 
County, and remained a member of the parental 

household until his marriage, Which took place Dec. 

6, isd.",, his bride being Miss Ellen M. Walters. 
Mrs. Sapp was horn Sept. 28, Is 17, in Sullivan 
County. III., and is the daughter of Aimer and Abi- 
gail (Walters) Walters. Isaac M.. the eldest son of 

subject, was bom Dec. l. 1864; Charles W., 

Jan. 8, 1 867, and Prank G.. June is. 1874. 

The farm of our subject includes eighty acres of 

fertile land under a g I Male of cultivation, and 

upon which he has resided since hi- marriage, lie 



234 



■*+ 



=L 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




~t 



is the architect of his own fortune, having begun 
life dependent upon his own resources, receiving 
very little assistance from his father. Like his 
parents, lie and his excellent wife and three boys 
are members in good standing of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which he has officiated as 
Steward, and in which Mrs. Sapp lias sought to do 
good as opportunity presented. 



fiYLER C. BAKER. The finely cultivated 
farm of 320 acres which embraces the north- 
east quarter of section 22, and the north- 
west quarter of section 23, in Sterling Precinct, 
bears the reputation of having undergone the most 
careful management, perhaps, of any tiact in the 
county. In its management there have been exer- 
cised that wise judgment and forethought which 
have been the leading characteristics of the propri- 
etor since the beginning of his manhood's career. 
A native of Franklin County, Mass., he was born 
Nov. 11, 1833, and lived there with his parents 
until reaching his majority. About that time the 
latter changed their residence to Berkshire County, 
and two years later, leaving New England, cast their 
lot among the people of the Great West. 

The parents of our subject, when bidding adieu 
to their old home and associations made their way 
to Jackson County, Wis., their residence there dat- 
ing from the winter of 1858. Our subject secured 
employment at lumbering, working as a subordi- 
nate a period of four years, and was then raised 
to the position of foreman, a post which he held for 
a period of sixteen years, and which indicates in a 
marked manner the esteem and confidence in which 
he was held by his employers. Mr. Baker estab- 
lished matrimonial and domestic ties while a resi- 
dent of the Badger State, being married at the home 
of the bride in the little town of Columbus, Aug. 
12, 186G, to Miss Betsey Russell. Mrs. Baker is a 
native of England, and was born in August, 1843. 
Her parents were also of English birth and ancestry, 
and emigrated to the United States in 1846, when 
their daughter Betsey was a little child three years 
of age. They also sought the West in which to 



make settlement, locating in Wisconsin while it was 
still a Territory. Here the father, William Russell, 
operated as a tiller of the soil, and died at the 
homestead which he had labored to build up about 
1858. The mother later went to live with her chil- 
dren in Iowa, where her death took place in 1880, 
after she had arrived at the age of seventy years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baker began the journey of life 
together in Wisconsin, and in 1883 changed their 
residence to this county. Their union has been 
blessed by the birth of five children, namely: Sabria 
E., Florence M.. Jesse M., Hugh P. and Allan. 
They are all living, and residents of Johnson 
County. Upon his arrival in this county Mr. 
Baker first secured 640 acres of land, and began in 
a manner suited to his means and requirements the 
labors which have resulted in his possession of one 
of the most valuable estates of his township. He 
was soon recognized as a citizen of more than 
ordinary worth, and has ever been the champion of 
truth and justice in whatever direction his attention 
has been turned, lie votes independently, aiming 
to support the men whom he considers best quali- 
fied for office, and has steadily refrained from plac- 
ing himself ostentatiously before the people. He is 
guiltless of the desire for office, but was pressed 
into public service as Assessor of his precinct in 
the spring of 1885. His culture of his land has 
been steady and persistent, and it yields in abun- 
dance the choicest crops of Southern Nebraska. 
He is thus in the enjoyment of a generous income, 
by which he is able to surround himself and his 
family with all of the comforts and many of the 
luxuries of life. The farm buildings are neat and 
substantial, and indicate on all sides the exercise of 
cultivated tastes and ample means. It is a home- 
stead which invariably attracts the attention of the 
passerby, forming one of the most pleasing pictures 
of rural life presented to the eye. 

The parents of our subject, Horace and Mary A. 
(Curtis) Baker, were natives of the same county as 
their son, and made the journey from the Bay 
State to the wilds of Wisconsin accompanied by 
their five children. Of the five who survive our 
subject was the third in order of birth. Horace 
Baker, after becoming a resident of Wisconsin, was 
employed in various ways, and died at Black River 



■•►—&-*• 




trlmr—i'. 



RE5IDENCE OF R. F. CuRRY, 5EC.2I.(-M1.)T0DD CREEK PRECINCT. 




Residence of L ew is Winter, Sec. 30. (G- 10.) Sterling Preci nct. 



J= 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



•237 



Falls, thai State, in the fall of 1871, at the age of 
seventy-one years. The mother later joined her 
children in Iowa; she died in Sterling, in March, 
isss. ;ii the advanced age of seventy-nine. 

— "i ' S ' I ' S • 1" *- 



f 



ffl EWIS WINTERS, who is well and favor- 
I (fa ably known in this pari of the country, was 
jl^Vj a pioneer of Johnson County, and is still 
actively engaged in the supporl i>f its greal agri- 
cultural interests as one of the leading farmers of 
Sterling Precinct. The development of this county 
is largely due to such practical, intrepid, capable 
men as our subject, who, while working hard in 
their own interests to evolve from the wild, un- 
broken prairie the farms upon which they have 
built up comfortable homes, have at the same time 
advanced the growth of their respective precincts, 
and have taken pride in promoting the various 
schemes for their improvement. It is with pleas- 
ure that a view of the Winters' homestead is pre- 
sented in connection with this sketch. 

Mr. Winters was horn in Stark County, 111.. 
Dec. 81, 1889, his parents being Daniel and Julia 
A. (Greenfield) Winters. His father was born May 
12, 1*12, in Luzerne County, Pa., and he died in 
Stark County. III., in December, I860, in the 
midst of a useful life, in which he had gained thi' 
respecl ami esteem of his neighbors for his honor- 
able character and sterling worth. The mother of 
our subject, a most estimable lady, now makes her 
home in tins precinct. She was horn in New York. 
May 21. 1814. Our Subject is the second of the 
nine children horn to his parents, of whom six 
survive, and the following is the family record: 
George, horn in New York. Dec. 27. 1837; Lewis, 
our subject; Elizabeth, horn in stark County, 111.. 
June 11. 1846; Washington, born March 21. 1843, 
died Dec. II, I860; Mary, horn Dec. 29, 1849; 
Alonzo, Aug. 2'.), 1852; Delonville, Feb. 17. 1853. 

lie of whom we write was reared and educated 

in his native county, attending the c non sc] Is. 

lie was likewise married there, Aug. 25, 1868, to 
Miss Wiley Medearis. and of their union five chil- 
dren have been horn, namely: Dela. now Mrs. 
Edward Dewyer, of Vesta Precinct, this county; 



Mary. Adelaide. Nellie and Elizabeth, all of whom 
are living. .Mrs. Winter.-,' parents, John W. and 
Scrvilda (Harnett) Medearis, who live in Stark 
County, III., are natives of Brown County, Ohio, 
where the father was born -Inly 15, 1817, and the 
mother. Sept. 21. 1822. The record of their chil- 
dren is as follows: Martin, born Sept. 17, 1840; 
Aurora. April 27. 1842; William, March '.». 1844; 
Alexander. Aug. 26, 1846; Wiley (Mrs. Winters). 
March 2:!. 1849; .lames. June 27. 1851; all of 
whom were horn while their parents resided in 
Ohio. The remainder are: Joseph, horn Dec. 7, 
1858; Frank. July 21, 1856; Eliza, March 1, 
1859; Frances. May 28, 1862, and Sarah. July 3, 
1865. Frances and Alexander are deceased. 

After marriage Mr. Winters and his young wife 
came to Nehraska to establish their home in John- 
son County. Mr. Winters purchased the farm on 
which In- now resides of a man wdio had entered it 
from the Government, and he then paid the remain- 
ing money due on it at the land-office, and got 
the patent signed by Gen. U.S.Grant, It com- 
prises 120 acres on the northern half of the south- 
east quarter of section 30, and forty acres of the 
southeast part of tin- southeast quarter of section 
30, and also the northeast forty of the northeast 
quarter of section 31. At that time there was no 
town where Sterling now stands, and the nearest 
market was at Nebraska City, which was a dis- 
tance of forty miles away, where Mr. Winters used 
to team the produce of his farm and purchase his 
groceries, etc. Indians were frequent visitors in his 
home, and Mrs. Winters would trade coffee with 
them in exchange for some of their beadwork and 
trinkets. Mr. Winters had bul $ I 75 when he came 
here, and with that he paid for his land, so that he 
and his family had to endure all the privations of 
pioneer life in a new country until they could 
make the farm productive of an income. Iiut our 
subject was a man of action, a Steady and persist- 
cut worker, with a good practical knowledge of 
farming, ami he set to work with characteristic en- 
ergy to build up his fortune from the wild prai- 
rie. He has been more than ordinarily successful 
in his undertakings, as is shown by his farm, one 
Of the fines! in this locality, tin' land under good 
cultivation, and 120 acres of it neatly fenced, with 

_— ...» 1 ... 



-i 



238 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



1 for 



an excellent set of buildings, including one of the 
handsomest and most commodious residences in 
Sterling Precinct, which was erected at a cost o/ 
$2,000. 

Mr. Winters' intelligence, enterprise and capa- 
bility render him an invaluable citizen, and when- 
ever he is called to hold public office the duties in- 
cumbent upon him are discharged with promptness 
and efficiency, in a manner to call for the com- 
mendationsof his fellow-citizens. In him his neigh- 
bors find a friend, his family a thoughtful husband 
and indulgent father. Mr. Winters was elected 
to the office of Assessor of this precinct in the fall 
of 1884, and served one year, lie was again elected 
to the same position in 1887, and still holds the 
office. He is a valued member of the F. & A. M.. No. 
70, and also of the I. ( ). ( ). F.. No. (1:1. at Sterling. 
He is identified with the Republican party, having 
a firm faith in the correctness of its policy. 

1CIIAR1) F. CURRY. The stock-raising in- 
terests of Todd (reck and vicinity are well 
(.■presented by the subject of this sketch, 

yjwho owns a fine farm of 200 acres lying on 
sections 21 and 22. lie came to this locality in the 
summer of 1867, first taking up 120 acres of land 
to which he subsequently added eighty acres. It 
was then a wild stretch of uncultivated prairie, and 
he set himself industriously to work to accomplish 
its development and improvement. Looking upon 
his valuable estate to-day it is easy to believe that 
he has labored with the most persevering industry, 
and witli results which should be satisfactory to 
any reasonable man. The land now yields in 
abundance the richest crops of Nebraska, and the 
farm buildings an' first-class in every respect, in- 
cluding a large and handsome residence, which 
would be an ornament to any town or city, and a 
barn and other out-buildings finely adapted to the 
purposes and employments of rural life. About 
six acres have been devoted to the planting 
of groves, and there is an orchard of choice apple 
trees, together witli the smaller fruits, and every- 
thing about the premise- is conducive to the com- 
fort and happiness of the family. The fields ai-e 




enclosed with wire and hedge fencing. The land is 
well watered, and very little is left to run to waste, 
every acre being utilized either for grain or past- 
urage. 

Our subject is of excellent Scotch ancestry, 
although born in County Down, Ireland, July 26, 
1829. lie continued a resident of his native 
county until a youth of eighteen years, receiv- 
ing a limited education. Then, not satisfied witli 
his condition or his prospects, he emigrated to 
America, and settled first in Upper Canada. He 
was a resident of the Dominion a period of nine- 
teen years, occupied as a carpenter and carriage- 
maker, and was at times in the employ of a 
railroad company, doing tine upholstering for their 
coaches. 

About the time Nebraska became a State Mr. 
Curry made his way across the Mississippi, landing 
in th is county on the 28th of June, lK(i7, with a 
cash capital of $62.50. He at once took up a tract 
of land, which is now included in his present farm, 
and since that lime has made it his home. It i.s 
hardly necessary to say that he labored for years 
under many difficulties, practicing the most rigid 
economy, working early and late, and exercising 
the most careful management in order to gain a 
foothold. 

The farm of Mr. Curry is now spoken of as be- 
ing one of the finest in Johnson County. It is 200 
acres in extent, and in addition to raising large 
quantities of grain our subject has of late years 
given much attention to fine stock, including 
the best grades of cattle, mostly Short-horn, 
having a herd of about eighty head, some full- 
blooded. He has a few of the Polled-Angus breed, 
which is gradually working its way in this county 
and becoming popular. Mr. Curry's stables con- 
tain principally Norman horses, he keeping usually 
about twenty head, including some fine imported 
stock. lie keeps about 175 head of swine, nearly 
thoroughbred, and ships annually by the carload. 

The farm of our subject embraces ninety acres of 
o-ood pasture, while the balance is mostly in 
meadow and plowed ground. Not only has Mr. 
Curry established for himself the reputation of a 
first-class agriculturist, but he is a man eminently 
public-spirited and Liberal, taking a warm interest 



f 



*t 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



239 



*t 



in those enterprises calculated to advance the wel- 
fare of the people. He has been prominent in local 
affairs, and in 1878 was elected a County Commis- 
sioner for the First District, to till a vacancy, and 
discharged the duties of theollice with such fidelity 
and good judgment that at the close of the term he 
was re-elected for the full term of three years. He 
has for years been a member of the School Hoard 
of his district. While Commissioner he succeeded 
in having a tine iron bridge built across the Ne- 
maha at Elk Creek, and smaller bridges in other 
parts of the precinct. He also caused foresl trees 
to be set out on the Comity Farm, besides a good 
orchard, and was instrumental in having' an addi- 
tion built to the house, an improvement which was 
greatly needed. 

Our subject, while a resident of the Dominion, 
was united in marriage, Feb. 2 1. 1843, with Miss 
Pamelia Libby, who was born in Upper Canada. 
This union has been blessed by the birth of ten 
children, six of whom are living, namely: Eliza, 
Richard .1.. Grace, William, .lane and George. 
Mrs. Curry was horn Feb. 4, 1827. Her parents. 
William and Weltha (Townsend) Libby, were of 
English birth and parentage, and came to America 
about 1819. The father spent his last years in 
Quebec, Canada. The mother now lives in this 
precinct. 

Eliza, the eldest daughter of our subject, is now 
the wife of 1'. s. Dimmock, a book-keeper of Ness 
City, Ness Co., Kan., wlnt also owns a lialf-section 
of land in that State; Richard .1. married Miss 
Orpha Craft, and is operating his own farm in 
No- County, Kan.; Grace is the wife of Frank 
Morlev. a farmer and nurseryman of Ness City; 
William, .lane and George are al home with their 
parents. These children were given a g 1 prac- 
tical education, and in their career as citizens ami 
members of the community will reflect honor upon 
their home t raining. 

Richard Curry, the father of our subject, was 
horn ami reared in the Scottish Highlands, and 
there married Miss Grace Carlyle. Later they re- 
moved to County Down, Ireland, where the father 
followed his trade of carpenter, and became owner 
of two good farms. He carried on agriculture ex- 
tensively, giving employment to from eight to ten 

«• ■ 



men. Selling out he emigrated to Upper Canada. 
about 1840, and worked at his trade of carpenter 
until his death, which occurred about L866, when 

he was seventy-eight years old. The wife and 
mother had preceded her husband to the silent 
land, her death occurring in 1864, when she was 
about sixty-five years old. Their family consisted 
of twelve children. 

When Mr. Curry lirst settled upon the land which 
he now owns anil occupies his nearest neighbors were 
a mile and a half away. He and his family lived 
in true pioneer style, denying themselves necessa- 
rily many modern conveniences and comforts, hut 
probably were fully as contented and happy as the 
people of to-day, who have luxuries a', their com- 
mand. What neighbors they had wen 1 friendly 
and obliging, and all were solicitous for each other, 
both in sickness and in health. Mr. and Mrs. Curry 
were among the early members of the Presbyterian 
Church of Tecumseh, with which they identified 
themselves over thirty years ago, and to the sup- 
port of which they have contributed in a generous 
degree. ( >ur subject votes t he straight Republican 
ticket, anil keeps himself well posted upon matters 
of State and National interests. A view of his line 
home and its surroundings is given on another 
page. 



OBERT HUSTON, a leading stock farmer 
of Nemaha Precinct, also carries on general 
!m\\ agriculture, on 100 acres of fine farming 
^iand, occupying a portion of section 25. 
His homestead is embellished with modern im- 
provements, the pasture needed with tame grass, 
and the fields laid off with neat and substantial 
fencing, three miles of this being hedge. The corn 
and other grain which he raises is mainly devoted 
to the feeding of his stock, which is sheltered in 
good barns and other suitable buildings. His son. 
Paul 15., has a good home on the same farm, pro- 
vided with a residence and the other necessary 
buildings, put up by our subject. 

The Huston family is of Irish ancestry, and Paul, 
the father of our subject, a native of County Deny, 
was born about 1785. He emigrated to America 
in ITDO, with his parents, when a little lad five 



f 



240 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



*f 



years of age, and they settled in Pennsylvania. 
Paul Huston lived in Cumberland County until 
1821. Thence with his family he removed to Ham- 
ilton County, Ohio, and from there in 1826 to Lo- 
gan County, where he improved a good farm from 
a growth of heavy timber, and where, at the home- 
stead which he had built up from the wilderness, his 
death occurred in 1865. He had then reached his 
fourscore years. He married Miss Mary Carothers, a 
native of Pennsylvania. Of this union there were 
born fourteen children, Robert, our subject, being 
the third, and twelve lived to mature years. The wife 
and mother, who was born in 1801, died at her 
home in Ohio in 1872. She was the daughter of 
Andrew Carothers, a steady-going Pennsylvania far- 
mer, who spent his last years in Pennsylvania. 
Paul Huston and his wife identified themselves 
with the Presbyterian Church, in which the father 
was particularly active, being one of its Ruling 
Elders for many years, and Superintendent of the 
Sunday-school as far back as the earliest recollec- 
tion of his son Robert. In fact he was a prominent 
man. capable, industrious and enterprising, and 
held many positions of trust and responsibility, be- 
sides serving as Justice of the Peace for many 
years. 

Robert Huston was born in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, Oct. 23, 1822. He was four years of age 
when his parents removed to Logan County, where 
he lived until 1872. He acquired a good practical 
education, fitting himself for a teacher, which pro- 
fession he followed from the time he was seventeen 
years for a period of thirty years thereafter, with 
the exception of two years spent in the army. 
During this time he was the examiner of teachers 
for the county schools of Logan County ten years, 
and served as Justice of the Peace three years. At 
that period of his life he owned and occupied a 
farm near Bellefontaine, Ohio, and although not 
laboring upon it, superintended its operations. 

The second year of the Rebellion, Mr. Huston, 
on the Gth of August, 18G2, enlisted in Company 
H, 96th Ohio Infantry, and was much of the time 
assigned to the duties of Hospital Steward. He 
was with his regiment during the siege of Vicks- 
burg and the battle of Arkansas Post. After this 
he was discharged for disability, 'and after recover- 



ing his health he re-entered the service as a member 
of Company E, 132d Ohio Infantry, and was 
mustered out in October, 1864. This regiment 
served in Virginia, between Richmond and Peters- 
burg, and our subject was frequently under fire. 
Although receiving no wounds, he suffered greatly 
from hardship and privation, from the effects of 
which he has never recovered. 

Upon retiring from the service Mr. Huston re- 
sunjed teaching and made his home upon his farm 
until 1872. He then sold out and purchased a 
farm in Champaign County, Ohio, where he lived 
until the spring of 1880. Then selling out once 
more he crossed the Mississippi, and after looking 
around in the vicinity of Tecumseh, purchased the 
laud which he now occupies, at $25 per acre. Since 
that time he has been continuously employed in its 
improvement and cultivation, and has four acres of 
forest, besides a good apple orchard and the smaller 
fruits. He is mostly living retired from active 
labor, and sitting under his own vine and fig tree 
is enjoying the fruits of his early industry. 

Mr. Huston, on the 28th of September, 1843, was 
united in marriage with Miss Jane Campbell, of 
Logan County, Ohio, and to them there were born 
nine children, only five of whom are living. The 
eldest son, William H., was graduated from the 
Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and entered 
upon a successful practice in Scipio, Ind. lie 
married Miss Sena McKenny, of Mason, Ohio, and 
they became the parents of two children — Sarah P. 
and William P. The career of this promising citi- 
zen was cut short at the age of thirty-seven years, 
his death occurring in November, 1882, at his home 
in Scipio, Ind. Miss Nancy Huston was married to 
John Zeigler, a boot and shoe merchant and manu- 
facturer, of Champaign County, Ohio, and died in 
1872. leaving one child, a son, Charles H. The sur- 
viving children of our subject are John A., George 
S.,NoahR., Mary and PaulB. These are all married, 
and are all in Nebraska except one son who resides 
in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Huston are members in 
good standing of the Presbyterian Church, of 
which Mr. II. has been a Ruling Elder for some 
time, like his father before him. 

John A. Huston married Miss Susan McDonald 
of Seymour, Ind., and is engaged as a photographi 



Id, I 



"*•■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



241 



artist in Aubarn, this State ; George married Miss 
Nettie Calland, is [arming in Champaign County, 
Ohio, and is the father of four children — Samuel, 
Robert, Maiy F. and an infant; Noah married 
Miss Jennie West, of Ohio, and they have two 
children — Grace and Charles; they are living in 
Johnson County, Neb. Mary is the wife of John 
L. Jacka, a native of Cornwall, England, and a 
well-to-do fanner and land-owner of Nemaha Pre- 
cinct; they have two children — Clifton J. and 
Paul, Paul B. married Miss Lillian Ashley, of 
Tecumseh; they have one child, a son, Arthur, and 
are living on a farm in the vicinity of Tecumseh. 
It will thus be seen that our subject is the grand- 
father of twelve children, a fact of which he is 
quite proud. Mrs. Jane (Campbell) Huston, the 
wife of our subject, was born July '.), 1821, and is 
the daughter of William and Nancy (Robertson) 
Campbell, of Rockingham County, Ya. She lived 
there until ten years of age, then removed with her 
parents to Logan County, Ohio, where she con- 
tinued to reside until her marriage. Her parents 
were natives of Virginia and spent their last years 
in Ohio. Their family consisted of six children. 
( >nlv two are now living. 



=-i- 



*-*-&« * 



j^fLliKWT II. DOLLARHIDE, a veteran of 

' Ct/'-1 the Mexican War, who worthily represents 
,1 » the industrial interests of Sterling as a 

gp prosperous and well-to-do farmer and 

butcher, was an early settler of this city, coming 
herein L872, when it was a small, insignificant 
place, with but few houses and scarcely any busi- 
ness. He may well feel proud of the fact that he 
has aided in it> development, anil is still contribut- 
ing to its material prosperity. 

Mr. Dollarhide was bom in Marion ( lounty, End., 
in 1825, his parents being Absalom and Lottie 
(Brown) Dollarhide. native- of North Carolina. 
His grandfather, A.sel, was born in Scotland, 
whence he went to England, and then came to the 
United States, spending his last years in Marion 
County. Ind. When our subject was about ten 
years old his parents removed to Louisa County. 
Iowa, where they died in 18.32 and 1858 respect- 



ively. They were people whose- sober, industrious 
habits and genuine worth of character rendered 
them invaluable members of the community where 
they spent their last years, and the highest re-pert 

was accorded to them. They had seven children, 

of whom our subject Was the fifth. He was reared 
in Iowa, and was there married. Sept. 17. 1849, to 
Miss Nancy A. Wornstaff. a native of Iowa, and a 
daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) 
Wornstati'. Nine children were born of that mar- 
riage, of whom seven are living, all married but 
one. and settled in life. 

Previous to his marriage our subject served in 
the Mexican War for about a year, from 1847 to 
1848, proving to be an able and courageous sol- 
dier. In 1872 he came to Nebraska, accompanied 
by his family, and purchased eighty acres of land 
adjoining the town of Sterling, forty acres of which 
is still in his possession. He )iaid $1,200 lor the 
entire tract, and in 1875 sold forty acres of it for 
$1,000 cash, thus making 66§ per cent, on the 
original cost. Immediately after coming here Mr. 
Dollarhide turned his attention to farming and 
butchering. In the latter he has built up an ex- 
tensive trade, which he conducts with good profit. 
In the meantime he has not neglected his farm, but 
has been constantly improving it, BO that it is un- 
der good culture, ami has a good house, barn and 

other necessary buildings, besides a g I orchard. 

His home is comfortable and cozy, and supplied 
with all the conveniences of modern life. 

Our subject has been twice married. The wife 
of his early manhood died in 1873, leaving behind 

her the record of a g I life, ami her memory is 

cherished by many friends. She was a devoted 
member of the Presbyterian Church, as are also 
.Mr. Dollarhide and his present wife. Mr. Dollar- 
hide's second marriage, which took place in No- 
vember, 1882, was to Alary H. Hutchison, a lady 
well meriting the respect of her family and friends, 
which is called forth by her numerous good quali- 
ties. 

Mr. Dollarhide i> honorable in his dealings, and 
upright in his daily walk, and the confidence of his 
fellow-citizens is accorded to him freely. He is 

prominently identified with the Sterling Lodge No. 

To. I'. A' A. M.. having been oue of the seven charter 




•►-i^ 



242 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4r 




4 



members when the lodge was instituted in 1875. 
In his politics he is a stanch Republican, and has 
been ever since the formation of the party, having 
been a Whig before that. When Mr. Dollarhide 
first came here lie had his share of pioneer hard- 
ships and discouragements, he having been one of 
the few that were in this locality in 1873, when the 
grasshoppers took possession of the harvest fields 
and made way with the crops. 



LEXANDEK EATON is one of the well- 
known citizens and fanners of Spring 
* Creek Precinct, lie is the owner of I60acres 
on section 3:3, township 6 north, range 12 
east. He was born in County Antrim, in the North 
of Ireland, on the 6th of August, 1830, and is 
the son of James and Mary Eaton, natives of that 
district, but of Scottish descent. There were seven 
children born to his parents, he being the fifth 
child and second son in the family. He was edu- 
cated and bought up in his native country, where 
he continued to reside until he attained to man's 
estate. After leaving school, where he received 
good training, he engaged in farming, in which he 
became quite an expert and thoroughly capable. 

Before coming to this country our subject was 
married. This event took place on the 6th of April, 
I860, the lady who then united her life's interests 
with his being Margaret Beggs, the estimable 
daughter of Hugh and Mary (Patton) Beggs. She 
was born March 5, 1837, in County Antrim, and 
until her marriage lived with her parents. To our 
subject and wife there have been born eight chil- 
dren, and the following arc their names: James. 
Hugh, John, Eliza. Margaret. Matilda. Sara and 
Mary J. 

Giving up his farm in 1879, accompanied by his 
family, Mr. Eaton took passage at the port of 
Lame, County Antrim, on the northeastern coast 
of Ireland, and came to the United States in the 
steamship ''Alabama." one of the State Line boats. 
Fourteen days sufficed for the ocean trip, and they 
landed at New York in October of that year. From 
the port of disembarkation they proceeded at once 
to Henry County, 111., where they remained a few 

4» 



months, after which they came on to this county. 
where 160 acres of land was purchased, for which 
he paid at the rate of $5 per acre. Practically it 
was an unimproved tract at the time of settlement, 
but is now one of the best improved farms in the 
county. 

Our subject has served his school district as Di- 
rector for four years, and was the first to be elected 
to the office after its organization. He has always 
taken an active, untiring interest in school matters, 
and in fact in all matters that look to the advance- 
ment of the interests of the community. Politi- 
cally, he is a stanch Republican and has been from 
the first. With his wife, he is accorded hearty wel- 
come in every circle of society, and enjoys the 
confidence and regard of the community. They 
take true interest as members of the Presbyterian 
Church in the matters connected therewith, and 
are of those who endeavor to make their profession 
and daily conduct synonymous. 



ROF. WILLIAM II. GARDNER. Superin- 
Jl) tendent of the city schools of Tecumseh, 
^!!#^ and Principal of the High School, is a very 
useful factor in his community, and has in 
charge those interests which are second to none. 
The educational system of Tecumseh consists of a 
High School and two ward schools. The former 
gives employment to six teachers besides the Prin- 
cipal, and inasmuch as the facilities for education 
determine in a large measure the standing of the 
community. Tecumseh has reason to be proud of 
her achievements in this line. 

The subject of this sketch became a resident of 
Tecumseh in the fall of 1885, when he entered 
upon the duties of his present position, which he 
has since discharged with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to the people, as evinced by their annual 
invitation for him to continue. A native of Lee 
County. 111., he was bom July 19, 1855, and there 
continued to live until reaching his majority. After 
being carefully educated in the schools of Illinois 
he entered upon the duties of his chosen profession 
as a teacher of a district school in his native 
county, and later taught two years at Elizabeth, 



5£#-* 



4= 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



24.3 , , 



.In Daviess Co., 111. He was next Located at Han- 
over, where he officiated as Principal of the High 

School. 

Prof. Gardner first set foot upon the soil of Ne- 
braska in July, L 881, taking up his residence first 
in Pawnee City, where he was Superintendent and 
Principal of the schools for a period of four 

years. In the meantime the High School under his 
charge increased greatly in nunihers, and lie grad- 
uated its lirst class in June, 1885. So successful 
had been Ids management, and Ids prospects for 
the future so encouraging, he purchased town lots 
and put up a dwelling, establishing a pleasant and 
attractive home. In 1879 he invested in land in 
Pawnee County. He has a farm of 225 acres in 
Mission Creek Precinct, which he built up from a 
tract which had been comparatively uncultivated. 
For a time this was devoted to stock-raising, lint 
there is now raised upon it quantities of grain each 
year. 

In the fall of 188.") Prof. Gardner changed his 
residence to Tecumseh to enter upon the duties of 
his present position. He devotes his entire time 
and attention to his educational work, and is a 
leading light in the cultured social circles of this 
place. Religiously, he is a member in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. About 
1888 he identified himself with the Masonic fra- 
ternity. He is also a K. of P.. and has held various 
Offices therein. He takes little interest in politics 
further than casting his vote with the Republican 
party, and has not the remotest desire for office. 

The lady who has presided with grace and dig- 
nity over the home of our subject for the last ten 
years was in her girlhood Miss Lizzie Nesbitt, and 
was married to Prof. Gardner in Hanover, 111., 
.Inly 3, 187s. .Mrs. Gardner was horn at Hanover, 
June 5, 1858, and is the daughter of John and .lane 
(Moffatt) Nesbitt. John Nesbitt was horn in 
County Monaghan. Ireland, was of Scotch descent. 
and emigrated to America when a young man 
twenty -one years old. He Settled near the then unim- 
portant village of Hanover, and engaged in farm- 
ing, residing there for a period of forty years. In 

the spring of 1 88:! he crossed the Mississippi, and 

taking up his residence in Pawnee City, this State, 
is now living in retirement upon a competence. 



Both he and his excellent wife are members of the 
United Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Nesbitt 

has officiated as Senior Elder and been one of its 
chief pillars in Illinois. To our subject ami his 
wife there have been horn two daughters and two 
SOns, namely : Gertrude, .Minnie. John and Charles. 

Joseph Gardner, the father of our subject, was 
horn in Steuben County, N. Y.. July '••. 1822. and 
there lived until twenty-one years of age, acquir- 
ing a good education. Thence he removed to Lee 
County. 111., where he lirst taught school, and sub- 
sequently purchased a tract of land, which he im- 
proved into a good farm and occupied until moving 
to Colorado. He engaged quite extensively in 
stock-raising, and was a prominent man in his com- 
munity, officiating as Justiceof the Peace for many 
years. In 1878 he removed to Del Norte, where 
he Ls Still living, and dealing in real estate. The 
mother, Mrs. Hannah M. (Shaw) Gardner, was 
a native of Erie County. N. V.. and the parents 
were married in Lee County. 111., in 1851. Of the 
seven children horn to them, five are still living, 
and residents mostly of Colorado. 

Grandfather William Shaw was one of the well- 
to-do farmers of l.ee County. III. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject was a native of New 
York State, and a farmer by occupation. 

Prof. Gardner has a pleasant home in Tecumseh. 
and hosts of friends, lie keeps himself well posted 
in regard to modern methods of instruction, is an 
extensive reader and thoroughly devoted to Ids 
work, in which he takes pride, anil in which he 
excels. 

2~r>£i~e 



ALTER C. ATKINS, a citizen of Sterling, 



W lz 



one of the leading stockmen and agri- 
ists of Johnson County, and is en- 
gaged with his brother in raising and dealing in 
blooded horses. He is a native, of Livingston 
County, 111., July 23, 1852, being the date of his 
birth. He grew to manhood in his native county, 
receiving a sound education in the public schools, 
and from his father a practical training in agricult- 
ural pursuits. 

The parents of our subject, John ami Lucy (Gil- 
lett) Atkins, had seven children, of whom he and 



^ 



244 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



"4* 



his brother A. B. and two of bis sisters, Mrs. Flora 
Bridges and Mrs. William Eames, are the only ones 
living in Nebraska. One sister, Mrs. A. A. Potter, 
lives in Kansas, and one sister, Mrs. Dr. Miller, lives 
in Massachusetts; bis brother J. H. is in California. 
Our subject staid at home and assisted bis father 
on the old homestead until after be was twenty-one 
years old. He was then united in marriage to Miss 
Mary Putman, their wedding occurring Dec. 25, 
1873. Mrs. Atkins is a daughter of "William and 
Mary E. (Chambers) Putman. Her father died in 
Vermilion County, 111. Her mother still survives. 
and makes her home with her. At the time of bis 
marriage Mr. Atkins' father gave him a team of 
horses and a wagon, and his wife having a farm of 
160 acres, they began their wedded life with fair 
prospects of a successful issue, as they also brought 
youthful health, sound intelligence, and unlimited 
energy, to bear upon the problems that would con- 
front them upon their way. Mr. Atkins continued 
to engage in farming in Illinois until the spring of 
1883. He then disposed of bis interests in bis na- 
tive State, having decided to invest his money in 
Nebraska, and on its rich soil build up a new home. 
He selected Johnson County as a suitable location, 
where he could advantageously carry out his plans, 
and soon purchased a farm on section 1, township 
5, range 9, situated about three miles south of Ster- 
ling. Some of the land had been broken, but there 
were no other improvements on the place. Mr. At- 
kins immediately entered upon the arduous task of 
evolving a liue farm irom the wild prairie, and the 
few years that he lived there witnessed a great 
change brought about by bis steady and well-di- 
rected industry. He erected a substantial dwelling, 
barn and other necessary buildings; planted an 
orchard of choice fruit trees, fenced bis land and 
stocked it with good grades of cattle. _ He now has 
G40 acres of land in three different tracts, all well 
improved, and also owns bis home in Sterling. 

In the fall of 1 887 Mr .Atkins moved into the city 
with his family in order to engage with his brother 
in handling blooded horses. They have three fine, 
thoroughbred stallions, which they imported at a 
cost of $4,500, and are doing an extensive business. 
Mr. and Mrs. Atkins have established a charming 
' an 1 attractive home here, and the four children 



who have been born of their marriage complete the 
pleasant household circle, viz: Willie E. and Win- 
nie E. (twins). Fern and Clark. 

Mr. and Mrs. Atkins and their two eldest chil- 
dren are inembei-s of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and ever since they came here they have ■ 
been among the most active in promoting the cause 
of religion in this community, and they are fore- 
most in every good work. Mr. Atkins is Superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school connected with his 
church, and under bis influence it is growing in 
numbers and strength. Our subject takes an intel- 
ligent interest in political affairs, and is in full sym- 
pathy with the Republican party. He was elected 
Justice of the Peace for this precinct last fall, and 
is performing the duties of this office to the satis- 
faction of the public. This brief record of his life 
will show Mr. Atkins to be a man of rare energy 
and stability of character, whose every act is honest 
and straightforward, whose relations with society, 
the church and the home win the highest respect 
of those about him. 



*-# 



-5- 



f, ACOB ALDER. The farm of the subject of 
this biography is pleasantly located on sec- 
tion 21, Helena Precinct, of which he has 
been a resident for the past five years. lie 
has carried on agriculture successfully and made a 
specialty of stock-raising, keeping good grades of 
cattle, horses and swine. 

A native of Franklin County, Ohio, our subject 
was born March 22, 1835, and is the son of Paul 
and Sarah (Francis) Alder, who are supposed to 
have been natives of Virginia. The grandparents 
on both sides of the house, it is known, were natives 
of the Old Dominion. Grandfather Jonathan Alder 
at an early day was captured by Indians, supposed 
to have been the Wyandottes, and lived with them 
for a period of twenty-four years. He spent his 
last days in Ohio. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
eight children, four of whom are living, namely: 
Jonathan, a resident of Fultou County, 111.; Alma, 
Mrs. M. Ronan, of Fairfield, Iowa; Hester, Mrs. 
Thomas Ronan, of Osceola, Iowa, and Jacob, of our 



•►Ht^N 




-<- 






JOHNSON COUNTY. 



245 



i r I 



sketch. Tl.nc fatlit r died at the homestead in Mis- 
souri about 18 Ml, when middle aged. The mother 

survived her husband a period of thirty-five years. 
remaining a widow, and passing away at the home 
of her daughter, in Iowa, in the fall of 18<s4. 

Our subject was a little lad not quite five years 
of age when his parents, leaving his native State, 
crossed the Mississippi into Carroll County. Mo., 
where he lived until a youth of sixteen years. Then 
with his mother and Other members of the family 
he returned to Fulton County, III., where he at- 
tained his majority and engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, to which he had been accustomed from 
his boyhood. His education was necessarily some- 
what limited, having spent his boyhood in a 
region where the schools were conducted about 
three months in the year, during the winter season. 
He has always availed himself, however, of instruct- 
ive books and newspapers, and kept himself well 
informed in regard to current events. Leaving 
Illinois in the spring of 1871 he came to this county, 
and purchased the farm which he has since owned, 
paying therefor $1,100. This land comprised 1G0 
acres, and has been cultivated since the time 
Mr. Alder came to Nebraska, although he did not 
settle upon it until April, 1882, having had his 
home prior to this on section 17. 

There had been little attempt at improvement 
at the time Mr. Alder purchased this land, there 
having been only thirty-seven acres broken, and 
upon it were no buildings. It is hardly necessary 
to state that it has taken years of persistent labor 
and a considerable outlay of nione} - to bring the 
farm to its present condition. It now bears fail- 
comparison with the homesteads around it. In ad- 
dition to this property associated with the Alder 
estate there are eighty acres on section 17, the 
property of Mrs. Alder. This lady was prior to her 
marriage with our subject Mrs. Matilda Cox, and 
they were married at Knoxville, Nov. 21, 1872. 
Henry Cox, the first husband of Mrs. Alder, was 
one of the earliest pioneers of this county, having 
come to Helena Precinct about 1867 and home- 
steading the land which he left to his widow. He 
died shortly after his settlement here in the spring 
of 1872. Mrs. Alder was born in Ross County, 
Ohio, Oct. 13, 1847, and is the daughter of Grolds- 
4* 



bary and Phebe (Loveloss) Ilolloway, who were 
natives of Virginia. Her maternal grandfather, 
William Loveloss, was a soldier of the Revolution- 
ary War under the direct command of Gen. Wash- 
ington. When Mrs. Alder was seven years old her 
parents, leaving the Buckeye State, removed to 
Knox County, 111., during its early settlement, and 
where the mother still lives. Mr. Ilolloway de- 
parted this life in October, l,s.s,">, in Illinois. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Ilolloway there were born eleven 
children, and of the eight surviving the record is as 
follows: John continues a resident of Knox County, 
III. ; Minerva is the wife of Peter Bombarger, of 
Helena Precinct, this county ; Armal ; Mrs. Alder 
was the next in order of birth; Jonathan is a resi- 
dent of Knox County, 111.; David is married, and 
holds the position of Superintendent of the Poor 
Farm of this county; Nelson and Lon are living in 
Knox County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Alder came to Nebraska in ample 
time to form an acquaintance with the hardships 
and difficulties of life in a new settlement, and have 
witnessed many changes since their arrival in this 
county. Our subject has signalized himself as a 
liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen, giving 
his cordial encouragement to the enterprises calcu- 
lated for the good of the people. He votes the 
straight Democratic ticket, but cares so little for 
ollice, that upon being elected Justice of the Peace 
in 18S7 he failed to qualify, making no effort to 
assume the office. He has, however, served as As- 
sessor of Helena Precinct three years. To Mr. and 
.Mis Cox there were born four children, three of 
whom died in infancy. The survivor, a son, Wal- 
ter, now nineteen years of age, lives at the home- 
stead. 

Jlp^or.FUT M. ERWIN i^ one of the well-to- 
lyif' to-do agriculturists and stock farmers of 
(fcW, Lincoln Precinct, anil owns 170 acres of 
^^valuable land, situated on sections 13 and 
18, range ll east, township 5, range 12 north. He was 
born on the 2lst of November, 1*17, to Peter and 
Mary Frwin. at their home in Northumberland 
County. Pa., in which State the family had been 
resident for three generations. The great-grand- 



•►HP^ 



246 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



f 



father of our subject came from Scotland, his na- 
tive country, to America in the year 177."). Subse- 
quently he participated in the cause of liberty in 
the War of Independence. 

To the parents of our subject were bom ten chil- 
dren, seven of whom are living, viz: Christopher 
G., now in Denver. Colo.; Sarah K., the wife of Se- 
bastian Detsch, of Mariposa County, Colo.; Alem 
B., of Nuckolls County, Neb.; our subject; John E. 
and Charles N.,of Logan County, Kan., and Daniel 
II.. of Nuckolls County, Neb. Those deceased arc- 
William 1'., who was killed in the charge at Mis- 
sion Ridge; he was at the time an Orderly Ser- 
geant in Company E, 93d Illinois Infantry: Alfred 
I. and Mary J. 

When about four years of age our subject re- 
moved with his parents to Jo Daviess County, 111., 
where they resided a number of years, removing 
from there to Whiteside County, where they made 
their home for three year.-. At the end of that 
period, and in the year 1865, they migrated to 
this State, and for a short time staid in Nebraska 
City. In 1KG7 they located permanently in this 
county, although several years before the father had 
become the owner of property here. In 18GG our 
subject went to Denver, Colo., remaining there for 
two and a half years. He then went to Laramie 
City, Wyo.. returning to Nebraska in the fall of 
1871. 

On Christmas Day of the year 1*73 our subject 
was joined in wedlock with Ada E., the estimable 
daughter of Elihu P. Phillips. (See .-ketch of that 
gentleman upon another page.) There have come 
to Mr. and Mrs. Erwin seven children, whose 
names are recorded as follows: Angle M., born Jan. 
12, 1*7.3; Minnie C, Aug. 16, 1*77: Robert P., 
Feb.*. 1**0; Ilaltie and Jennie M. (twins), Sept. 
16, 1**3; George A.. Aug. 1. 1885, and Arthur 
C. May 10, 1**7. 

The farm of our subject comprises 170 acres of 
well-cultivated and highly productive land. In 
connection with his farm he is running a sorghum 
mill, in which he manufactures 800 gallons per 
season. He owns forty head of stock of grade 
varieties, and has had no little success in the rais- 
ing and feeding of cattle. 

Mr. and Mrs. Erwin are both members of the 



First Baptist Church of Tecumseh. and take an 
active interest in religious and general society 
matters. Our subject has been Treasurer of the 
church, and is greatly respected in that connec- 
tion. He has served his district as Overseer of 
Highways, and is now Treasurer of the School 
Board of District No. 19, and in the fall of 1867 
he was a candidate for the Legislature of his dis- 
trict. In politics he is affiliated with the I'nion 
Labor party. He holds membership also in the 
A. O. U. W.. meeting with the lodge at Tecumseh. 
lie is an intelligent, whole-souled ami honorable 
gentleman, and this is generally recognized through- 
out the community, consequently there is accorded 
to him and his family general unfeigned regard. 



y<gy VIU'S S. PHILLIPS, the owner of a beau- 
lit^-, tiful farm on section 27 in Nemaha Precinct, 
^^^' some 300 acres in extent, and as this 
property evidences, a very able and energetic 
agriculturist, was born in Richland, Oswego Co., 
N. Y., on the 18th of April, 1828. There he made 
his home until 1845, and in the schools of his na- 
tive place received his education. In the latter 
year his parents removed to Waukegan, Lake Co., 
111., at that time known as Little Fort. There his 
father purchased a farm and lived until his death, 
which occurred in 1848, after which his widow and 
our subject continued until the year 1857, operat- 
ing it as before. There were five other children 
in the family at that time. Mr. Phillips, how- 
ever, being the eldest and of sufficient age and ex- 
perience to run the farm, to him fell the task of, as 
far as was possible, filling his father's place in the 
maintenance of the farm and home. These years 
were by no means easy to him. but they have un- 
doubtedly left their imprint upon his character, and 
the struggle which at the lime seemed so hard has 
fallen out for his good and advancement. In 1857 
he sold the farm and left the district, ha ving lost all 
he had saved until that time through becoming 
surety for a friend. He was married, on the 12th 
day of November of the year 1856, to Miss Abbie 
Childs, of LaFayelte, Walworth Co.. Wis. There 
has been given to them one beautiful daughter, who 



1 r 
■^IrU 



J^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



247 , L 



f 



received the Dame Lottie, and still resides at home. 
she received the advantage of an excellent educa- 
tion, and her home training has been all that could 

lie desired. 

Upon leaving Lake County Mr. Phillips removed 
to McLean County, where be continued to make 
his home for about four years, then went to Linn 
County. Iowa, where he continued successfully from 
a financial standpoint. Here he remained until 
1870, and then removed to Tecumseh, where he has 
resided ever since. He purchased the land he now 
owns while still in all the wild beauty of its virgin 
state and immediately began to work upon it. im- 
proving it as rapidly as he was able until all was 
brought into a good slate of cultivation, and as 
both his theoretical and practical knowledge of 
farming are beyond the average he made rapid and 
most gratifying progress. To-day, without a doubt, 
it is one of the finest and best farms in the country. 
He has planted a very fine grove of trees, adding 
much to the beauty of his property. His orchard 
is both extensive, valuable ami fruitful. Much 
attention has been given to the raising of hogs, cat- 
tle and horses for a number of years past, and con- 
siderable and unusual success has attended him in 
this venture. About sixty acres of corn is required 
for feed [imposes alone each year, from which it 
will be seen that as a cattle and general stock raiser 
he is among those having large interests at stake. 

Mr. Phillips is one of the prominent substantial 
men of Tecumseh, and was elected County Treas- 
urer on the Granger ticket in the election of 
1873. His political principles, however, have 
always been those of the Republican party. His 
first Presidential ballot was given in favor of Fre- 
mont. While County Treasurer he made his home 
in the town and also while serving on the Board of 
Aldermen, continuing in all six years, in order that 
in addition to the better execution of official du- 
ties his daughter might have the full advantage of 
the superior educational facilities. Both in this 
district and in his more eastern home he has filled 
the office of Justice of the Peace. He served on 
the County Board of McLean County, III., and for 
six years was a member of the School Board of 
Tecumseh. 

Mrs. Abbie C. Phillips was born in Saratoga 

<•*- 



County, N. Y., on the 4th of May, 1839. This 
was her home until the year 1 846, when, with her 
parents, she migrated to Wisconsin, where she re- 
sided until the time of her marriage. She is the 
daughter of William and Susan (Dake) Childs. 
Her parents were natives of Saratoga County. The 
occupation of Mr. Childs was a farmer. The family 
included five children, all of whom attained their 
majority and entered upon successful careers. He 
was of retiring disposition, and although frequently 
urged to accept office steadfastly refused to do so, 
with one exception, viz: that of Justice of the Peace, 
which he retained for one term. He was a well ed- 
ucated man and a prominent member of the Bap- 
tist communion, of which he had been a member 
from his youth, but even in the church and though 
ever ready and willing to engage actively as a 
worker, would have nothing to do with official po- 
sitions. He departed this life March 1 M. 1865, 
his wife surviving him but a few days. 

Mr. Childs was the son of the Hon. Salmon 
Childs, one of the heroes of Colonial and Revolu- 
tionary days. He was a member of the New York 
Legislature, and for some years Judge of Saratoga 
County, lie occupied a very high place in the re- 
gard of the people, among whom he occupied a 
prominent position. His son William was a Whig, 
and had drunk deeply of the spirit, ideas and polit- 
ical principles of his father, for whom he entertained 
great affection and intense admiration, sentiments 
and feelings which he has handed down to his 
daughter. He was deeply interested and actively 
engaged in the campaign of (Jen. Harrison. To 
his daughter he taught the campaign song: "Tippe- 
canoe ami Tyler too" which she has recently had 
republished. 

Moses Phillips, the father of our subject, was 
born in the town of Rupert. Bennington Co.. Yt., 
and was left fatherless when but five months old, 
and at a very early age was thrown entirely upon 
lu's own resources. He was thus deprived of the 
usual educational opportunities afforded those who 
have the protecting, guiding care of parents. He, 
however, possessed much natural ability, and as he 
came to realize the necessity of mental training 
worked hard to that end. and made himself thor- 
oughly well informed upon all general and pr.M 



:**•«■ 



«► m * 



248 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



«* "* » 



subjeets,and occupied a higb position in the regard of 
his neighbors and friends. He was a man of fine 
character, and had the reputation of being pre- 
eminently a peacemaker. 

While residing in his native county Moses Phil- 
lips became the husband of Charlotte Ransom, a 
native of the same State. They moved to Oswego 
County. He was the owner of a good farm in Rich- 
land, Oswego County, one and one-half miles from the 
village of Pulaski and six miles from Lake Ontario. 
Their family included eight children, six of whom 
grew to years of maturity. This gentleman died 
at Waukegan, 111., in 1848, after a residence in that 
place of about three years. His wife lived upon 
the farm he had bought near that place for two 
years, supporting her family by her own exertions 
during that period, when she remarried, becoming 
Mrs. Whitman, aftei which she removed to her new 
home at Honej* Creek. Being again left a widow 
she was once more married, her husband being 
Ephraim Townsend, a native of New York, but re- 
siding near Barrington, 111. She departed this life 
on the 1st of September, 1863. 

Elihu Phillips, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of Connecticut, and went through the 
Revolutionary War. Shortly after the close thereof 
he was married to Miss Elizabeth Spears, and made 
his home in Bennington County, Yt., where his fam- 
ily of nine children was brought up. There he 
died while yet comparatively a young man. His 
widow survived him many years, living to quite an 
advanced age. She finished the task of rearing her 
children, in which she had fondly hoped to have her 
husband's continued assistance, and it was her joy 
to see them enter upon careers at once honorable 
and successful. 



^H~ 



VARREN S. DILWORTH, foreman of the 
Chicago Lumber Company, at Crab Or- 
chard, a very capable and enterprising busi- 
ness man. is a native of Kentucky, born Dec. 23, 
1841. His father, Lindsay- Dilworth, was born in 
Guilford County, N. ('.. and his mother, Sarah 
(Simpson) Dilworth. was a native of the same place. 
Their family consisted of four children, of whom 



two only are living, our subject and his sister. 
Emily .1.. the wife of Green T. Simpson, who is 
working at the harness business in Adams, Gage 
Co., Nil'. 

The parents of our subject removed from North 
Carolina to Brant County, Ky., and from the Blue 
Grass regions to Pike County, 111., in the spring of 
1857, and there Warren S. continued with them 
until nearly attaining his majority. On the .'list of 
July, 1862, he was united in marriage with .Miss 
Tabitha A. Walker. In September following the 
two families came to Nebraska. and after a sojourn 
of a few weeks in Table Rock located on a tract of 
land one-half mile west of the present site of Crab 
Orchard. The late Civil War being in progress, 
young Dilworth laid aside his personal plans and 
enlisted in Company G, 8th Illinois Infantry, but 
mi account of physical disability was compelled to 
accept his honorable discharge in less than a year. 
He encountered much hardship and exposure, and 
now receives a pension of §10 per month from the 
( lovernment. 

Mr. Dilworth after coming to Nebraska never 
recrossed the Missouri River, his resilience in this 
county dating from November, 1862. He was 
Postmaster at Crab Orchard from 1864 to 1867, 
and from the fall of 1868 to the fall of 1885. He 
was then removed on account of being a Repub- 
lican. He takes a great interest in the temperance 
cause, believes in prohibition and every other meas- 
ure which shall tend to insure the well-being of so- 
ciety. The tract of land upon which he first settled 
when coming to this county has been transformed 
into one of its finest farms, and lying, adjacent to 
the town of Crab Orchard, is quite valuable. A 
fine residence and substantial out-buildings add to 
the general attractiveness of the home, and indi- 
cate the cultivated tastes and ample means of the 
proprietor. The old Otoe Indian trail, leading 
from the reservation in Nebraska City, passes west 
of this farm. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Dilworth there was born one 
child only, a son. James M., May 4, 1X63; he is a 
promising young business man and proprietor of the 
only jewelry store in Crab Orchard. In 1886 he was 
married to Miss Emma V. Beatty, and they have 
one child. Ruby Klfa, who was born Feb. 23, 1888, 



^4U. 



+-L*- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



-•*» 



249 



who lias now two great-grandfathers and twogreat- 
grandmothers, and also two grandfathers and one 
grandmother, nil living in the vicinity of Crab 
Orchard. Mr. Dilworth has officiated as Assessor 

of Western Precinct two terms. Religiously, lie is 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and labored as a local preacher in years i, r mie by, 
haying traveled over a circuit two years. Hebe- 
longs to the G. A. R., Post No. 69. at Crab < >r- 
chard. His farm comprises 120 acres of land, and 
he has four town lots in Crab Orchard. He oper- 
ated his farm until 1884. lie entered upon the 
duties of his present position with the Chicago 
Lumber Company in June, 1883. He retains his 
residence on the farm, hut rents the land to ten- 
ants. Included in the family circle is a young 
lady. Miss Ida K. Clawson. whom Mr. and Mrs. 
Dilworth took into their hearts ami home when she 
was a motherless babe of ten months, and with 
whom she has since remained. She was born Nov. 
13, 1874, in Filley, Gage Co.. this state. Her 
mother was killed by lightning at her home in the 
vicinity of Filley. 



*^S 




JTOIIN DERR, of Maple Grove Precinct, has 
for the last twenty-one years prosecuted 
agriculture successfully on the northwest 
quarter of section 2, where he owns 280 
acres of choice land. He is of German descent, 
his father, Boston Derr, having been born in Ger- 
many. His mother, however, whose maiden name 
was Mary Bradbury, was born in Scotland. 

The parents of our subject emigrated to Amer- 
ica in their youth, settling in Indiana, and the 
father, during the Indian troubles of 1840, served 
as a soldier under Gen. Harrison. Upon returning 
to civil life he engaged in farming. Both parents 
died in middle life, when their son John was but 
a small boy. Their family consisted of five chil- 
dren, three sons and two daughters, all of whom 
are living, and those besides our subject are resi- 
dents of the different States. 

John Deri', the fourth child of his parents, was 
bom in Parke County. Ind., Feb. 28, 1828. After 



the death of his parents he became a member of 
the family of James Strain, with whom he lived 
until a youth of eighteen years. In the meantime 
he learned the trade of tanner, which he followed 
until reaching his majority, in Indiana. He then 
migrated to Cass County, 111., ami worked at his 
trade about six years in Tannersville and vicinity. 
Later he engaged in farming in connection with his 
trade, and lived in Illinois until the fall of 1867. 

When twenty-four years of age Mr. Derr was 
united in marriage with Miss Matilda Mickey, the 
wedding taking place at the home of the bride near 
Chanlersville, 111, in February, 1852. This lady 
was the daughter of James and Lutitia (Wilson ) 
Ilickey, who were natives of Bunker Hill, Tenn. 
They were the parents of four sons and fourdaugh 
ters, three only of whom arc living, the two besides 
Mrs. D. being residents of Kansas and Illinois re- 
spectively. The family, about 1830, moved to Cass 
County, 111., where the death of Mrs. Hickey took 
place in 1862, and that of her husband a year later. 

Mrs. Derr is a native of the same place as her 
parents, Bunker Hill, Tenn., and was born Nov. 
15, 1S29. She accompanied her parents to Cass 
Count} - , 111., and lived with them there until her 
marriage. Mr. Derr, besides carrying on the reg- 
ular cultivation of the soil, has planted ten acres 
of forest trees, and has an orchard of 237 fruit 
trees in good bearing condition. Mrs. Derr, for a 
period of eleven weeks after coming to this county, 
never saw the face of a white woman. Their neigh- 
bors were very few and far between. She was 
consequently not anno3'ed by neighborhood gossip, 
or made unhappy over the fashions. The country 
around abounded in wild game, buffalo, deer and 
antelope being plentiful, so whatever their larder 
might have lacked in other respects, they were 
always supplied with choice wild meat. 

Mr. Derr labored early and late in redeeming 
his land from its primitive condition, and was pros- 
pered. He added to his real estate, and the land 
for which he paid (5 per acre could now scarcely 
be purchased for live times that sum. He has a 
good residence, barns and outhouses, and a fair 
assortment of live stock, including horses, cattle 
and swine. Life's comforts and enjoyments have 
been meted out to him in a generous manner, as 



•+3¥-*+ 



4= 



<- 



250 



-•*■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4 



the reward of his toil and sacrifices. The home 
circle was completed by the birth of six sons: 
Calvin J. is engaged at fanning in Bates County, 
Mo.; John II. carries on farming in Maple Grove 
Precinct, this county; James, Alonzo, Joseph C. 
and Charles are at home with their parents. 

Mr. Derr, when a lad of about thirteen years, 
proudly carried a musket under Gen. Harrison 
during the Indian troubles of 1 S40. He cast his first 
Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor, and has since 
that time been a stanch supporter of Republican 
principles. He has never been an office-holder in 
Johnson County, but with his excellent wife is a 
member in good standing of the United Brethren 
Church, although reared a Presbyterian. He is a 
strict temperance man, never indulging in card 
playing, whisky or tobacco. In his comfortable 
home, surrounded by the good things of life, and 
enjoying the confidence and esteem of his neigh- 
bors, he is but enjoying the regard which he has 
earned by an honorable and upright career. 



jjpsA AMUEL BERRIE.onc of the worthy and 
^^2 representative citizens of Lincoln Precinct, 
lft/\3| residing on section 30, township 5 north, 
range 12 east, and owner of 200 acres there, 
is a native of Bucks County, Pa., where he was horn 
on the 30th of August, 1815. His parents, Thomas 
and Susan Berrie, were of English and German 
ancestry. They were the parents of eleven chil- 
dren, of whom the four below mentioned alone sur- 
vive, viz: Peter and Moses, both in Montgomery 
County, 111.; Elizabeth, who was married to E. R. 
White, a Mexican War veteran, now deceased; and 
our subject. Those deceased were named as fol- 
lows: George, Hannah, Susan, Thomas, William, 
Catharine and John. By the father's second mar- 
riage four children were born, viz: David and 
Margaret, both of Montgomery, 111., and Anthony 
and Mary A., deceased. 

Our subject was about six years old when with 
his parents he removed to Hamilton Count} - , Ohio, 
where he grew up until he attained to man's estate. 
He was brought up on the farm and educated in 
the district schools, lint it must be remembered 



that those were early days, and Ohio was in the 
then Far West, consequently his education was 
limited, and practically what has been done has 
been the result of his own ambition and effort. 

In the year 1837, and while yet a resident of 
Hamilton County, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Lydia II. Moore, who presented him 
with eight children. One son only, William Henry, 
of Montgomery County, 111., is now living. The 
other members of the family were named as follows: 
George W., Harriet E., Abner, Emeline, Albert, 
Susan M., and one daughter who died in infancy 
unnamed. William II. was in the Gth Missouri, 
Company 11, and served four years in the late Civil 
War. 

Mr. Berrie was married a second time, the lady 
of his choice being Mary S. Brown, widow of Hiram 
Brown, of New York. This event was celebrated at 
Ilillsboro, 111., on the 11th of May, 1852. Mrs. 
Berrie is a native of Hamilton County Ohio, and 
was born on the 1 2th of September, 1823, to Jacob 
and Agnes Swallow. Her parents had seven chil- 
dren, of whom two alone survive, viz : Eliza, the wife 
of William Williamson, of Montgomery County, 
III., and Mrs. Berrie. The deceased members of the 
family were named as follows: Isaac, Ereminah, 
Martha, Margaret A. and John. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Berrie have been born six children, whose names 
are as appended: Camilah and Joseph, both de- 
ceased; Frank C, Laura; Ella, who is the wife of 
George Grim, of this county, and Samuel G. 

From his early manhood Mr. Berrie has taken a 
deep interest in political affairs. He was one who 
helped to elect William II. Harrison to the Presi- 
dency. During that campaign he helped to build 
a Buckeye canoe, which was lettered off with buck- 
eyes bearing the inscription, " Tippecanoe and 
1'vlertoo." This was put on a wagon, and drawn b} r 
six horses from Springdale to Hamilton, Ohio, a 
distance of six miles, and was the event of the cam- 
paign in that district. Shortly after that event he 
left Ohio for Montgomery County, 111., where he 
lived until he came to Johnson County, where he 
purchased 200 acres of land, and settled to agricult- 
ural life. 

• Mr. and Mrs. Berrie have for many years been 
active members of the Presbyterian Church, in 



* 



*-•-«- 



■*-Hh-* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



251 



which communion our subject was an Elder for 
four years, and still continues to hold oiliee. In 
politics it is hardly necessary to say he is a stanch 
Republican. Through the years of their wedded 
life Mr. and Mrs. Berrie have made it a life of 
mutual, affectionate confidence, and have assisted 
each oilier in the endeavor to make and sustain a 
home, and bring up their children amid the brightest 
possible influences. They are held in the highest 
possible regard by a large circle of relatives and 
friends, who recognize in them such character and 
personal worth as entitle them to a position among 
the representative citizens of the county. 




J HALL HITCHCOCK, a young lawyer of 
rare talent and brilliant prospects, is Judge 
of the Police Court of Sterling, and by Ins 
wise and able rulings in that capacity, show- 
ing a sound knowledge of the law, has already 
gained for himself a name and place among the 
leading legal luminaries of Johnson County. 

Mr. Hitchcock is a son of the well-known banker of 
Sterling, Col. N. F. Hitchcock, whose biography ap- 
pears on another page of this volume. He is a 
native of the great commonwealth of Ohio, born 
in Perry County, April 20, 18.">9. He was reared 
in the State of his birth, and there laid the founda- 
tion of a liberal education, attending the public 
schools, and later the High School of New Lexington, 
an excellent institution of learning, then under the 
management of the celebrated instructor II. F. 
Acker. Our subject was graduated from that 
school with honors, and a fine record for scholar- 
ship. At the age of seventeen he began his in- 
dependent career in life, as so main - of our eminent 
public men have done, as a teacher, and for some 
years was engaged in that profession in the Ohio 
schools. This, however, was but a means to an 
end, as he held steadily in view a strong purpose to 
become a lawyer, and he subsequently entered the 
law school at Burlington, Iowa, from which he was 
graduated after pursuing a thorough course of legal 
studies. He also fortified himself for his encounter 
With the world by a good, practical business edu- 
cation, obtained at the business college of licit 



city, from which he secured a diploma. In the 
spring of 1 883 he accepted thePrincipalship of the 
Sterling schools, which position he filled very satis- 
factorily until his resignation in the winter of 1883- 
84, to become cashier of his father's (the Johnson 
County) bank. He continued to act in that capac- 
ity until July, 18.S7. He then turned his attention 
once more to the law, and in November, 1887, was 
admitted to the bar. and he has since devoted his 
attention exclusively to his professional work. The 
very month that witnessed his admission to the 
legal fraternity of Nebraska saw also his appoint- 
ment to his present responsible position of Police 
Judge. His manly dignity-, incorruptibility, clear 
judgment and learning, amply qualify him for this 
office, whose duties he is discharging with charac- 
teristic fidelity, and in a manner to win the enco- 
miums of his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Hitchcock was married, March 27, 18*4, to 
Miss Flora Reed, a daughter of A. C. Reed. Her 
father was one of Sterling's pioneer business men, 
having established himself here in the general mer- 
chandise business at an early day. He died in 
September, 1885, leaving hosts of friends, as his 
character and disposition were such that none knew 
him but to love and admire him. A widow and 
six children were left to mourn the loss of a kind 
husband ami devoted father. One child. Pearl, 
has blessed the happy wedded life of our subject 
and his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock are among 
the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and that their religion is a part of their 
everyday life is shown in many ways, especially 
by their friendliness to the poor and unforUinate. 
Mr. Hitchcock sympathizes with the Republicans in 
his political views. 




LIIII' P. PHILLIPS. This gentleman holds 

a leading position among the citizens of 
Lincoln l'reeinel of this county, and is one 
of the representative farmers and stock-raisers, and 
his residence and property are situated upon section 
L8, range II east, township 5 north, lie is a na- 
tive of Oswego County. X. Y.. and was born there 
at Richland, on the 20th of June. 1824, to Hon 



ace f 



-*•■ 



-•*■ 



252 



JOHNSON COUNTY 



*t 



A. and Susan B. Phillips, who were natives of Ver- 
mont. His paternal ancestry were of Scotch-Irish 
extraction, while upon the mother's side the family 
is of English descent. The history of the family in 
this country reaches back to the Revolutionary 
times, and the grandfather. Elihu Phillips, was a 
soldier in the War of 177(5. 

To the parents of our subject there was horn a 
large family of children, of whom but ten survive, 
viz: Susan, Lois, Amanda, Rebecca, Elihu P.,Elam 
D., Cynthia. Jason L., Jesse F. and James R. Susan 
is a resident of Oswego County, and was married 
to Orlando Kent, now deceased; Lois, the widow of 
Omar Douglas, who is living in Franklin County, 
this State, as is also Amanda, who was married to 
John C. Delano, now deceased; Rebecca is the wife 
of George Gurley, of Pulaski, N. Y.; Flam is a 
minister, and resides in Oswego County. N. Y.; 
Cynthia, relict of Caleb Fobes, makes her home in 
Tecumseh; Jason is milling in the same, county, as 
is also James R.; Jesse is in Oswego County. 

The subject of our sketch was reared in his na- 
tive county and State, and there was instructed in 
the common schools and grew to manhood. From 
his boyhood he was conversant with farm life, 
being reared upon the home farm, and therefore 
preferred to make agricultural pursuits the occu- 
pation of his life. With the exception of thorough 
instruction, practical and otherwise, in the engage- 
ments of farming, he is chiefly self-educated, and 
has always given careful attention to reading. 

On the 20th of March, 1815, Mr. Phillips was 
united in marriage with Angeline Douglas, a na- 
tive of New York State, and the daughter of San- 
ford and Clarrissa (Sanford) Douglas. of this 
union there have been born seven children, of 
whom the following survive: Frank N., who now 
resides at Riverton, Neb.; Horace A., now of Loup 
County; Ada, wife of Robert M. Erwin, of this 
county; George S., of Lincoln Precinct, and John, 
who is at home. The names of the deceased chil- 
dren were Omar and Onias D. 

In the year 1855, accompanied by his family, our 
subject turned his steps westward, emigrating to 
Lake County, 111., where he remained for about 
three years, and then went to Iowa and farmed in 
Jackson County until 1862. On the 15th of August 



of that year he enlisted in Company K, 26th Iowa 
Infantry, and the regiment became part of the 1st 
Division of the 15th Army Corps of the Army of the 
Tennessee. Gen. Sherman's old corps. He was pro- 
moted to the position of Corporal, which he con- 
tinued afterward to hold. During the time of his 
army life he fought in sixteen battles, among which 
were those at Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the 
siege and battle of Vicksburg and Kenesaw Mount- 
ain. There he was wounded, and, being generally 
incapacitated, returned home to Iowa on a furlough. 
At the expiration of that term he 'returned to his 
duties, rejoining the forces at Nashville, Tenn., and 
his regiment some weeks afterward, continuing in 
the service until his discharge, in June, 18G5. 

Leaving Iowa in 1869, Mr. Phillips came to this 
county and settled at his present home. His farm 
comprises 120 acres of well-located, fertile land in 
a splendid state of cultivation. He formerly owned 
320 acres, but gave a portion to his children. He is in 
every regard a self-made man, and is deserving of 
eveiy possible credit for the efforts and determina- 
tion that have so favorably resulted. 

The subject of this sketch lias served in the office 
of Justice of the Peace continuously for Lincoln 
Precinct, which fact eloquently voices the senti- 
ment of his fellow-citizens entertained respecting 
his character and personal worth. Politically, he 
is a member of the Union Labor party. He has al- 
ways taken the greatest interest in building up and 
advancing the educational and other interests of the 
county and State, and has done what lay in his 
power to that end. He is a member of Hieka- 
thorn Post No. 49, G. A. R., at Tecumseh, and is 
at all times well received by his comrades. In the 
community he and his family are much respected 
and esteemed. 

^ «iH^ *~ 



vsg\\ W. M< >ORF,a prominent citizen of Sterling, 
111 n waa IAtl one t'' me t' ie leading physician of this 
^^Z' vicinity, but he has now retired from active 
practice, although he is still often called upon for 
medical advice by his old friends and patients. He 
comes of an old and well-known Pennsvlvanian 
family, and is a son of Dr. James Moore, of that 
i •» 



f* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



255 



Statu. ( hir subject was born in Huntingdon ('< unity, 
ami there he was reared and chiefly educated. He 
subsequently entered the Pennsylvania Medical 
College, where he pursued a thorough course of 
study, and from which be was graduated in 1852, 
with a high standing for scholarship. He imme- 
diately entered upon the practice of his profession 
in liis native state. From the beginning his suc- 
cess was assured; a young man of exceptional tal- 
ent, finely educated, and of an irreproachable char- 
acter, lie had no difficulty in winning his way, and 
making himself popular. The breaking out of the 
war found him in the enjoyment of an extensive 
practice', but in 1863 we find him pursuing his call- 
ing on Southern battle-fields, he having volunteered 
in the spring of that year, and been commissioned 
surgeon of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He 
served in that capacity under the gallant Gen. 
Philip Sheridan, and was with him in all the battles 
of a year and a half, lie was often in the thick 
of a heavy engagement, affording relief to the 
wounded and dying soldiers, and at one time was 
under lire twenty-three days continuously. 

The Doctor subsequently resigned his commis- 
sion as regimental surgeon that he might accept the 
position as assistant surgeon in the regular army, 
and was stationed at Annapolis, Md.. where he had 
charge of the exchange of prisoners from Novem- 
ber, 1 864-, to the close of the war. At the close of 
the war he was honorably discharged, and was 
warmly welcomed hack to the bosom of his family 
and to his old friends in his Pennsylvania home. 
lie at once resumed his professional duties, and for 
several years led an exceedingly busy life, for he 
was the "beloved physician" in many a household 
where his presence seemed to bring healing. For 
some years he was surgeon for the Huntingdon & 
Broad Top Railroad Company in Pennsylvania. 
He at length decided to make his home in Nebraska 
for the benefit of its healthful, invigorating climate, 
and winding up his affairs in his native State, he 
came here and located in sterling in dune, l«7«. 
He opened an office in this city and practiced a 
short time, but being a man of quiet, scholarly 
taste-, and having an ample income for the enjoy- 
ment of them, he has withdrawn from the duties of 
his profession as nearly as possible, and lives in 



[partial retirement with his wife and children in one 
of the most charming homes in thecity. The Doc- 
tor was married in Pennsylvania in January, 1854, 
to Mi-- Margaret Stunkard, who has been to him a 
devoted companion. Their pleasant wedded life 
has been blessed to them by the birth of four sons 
and two daughters, all of whom are living. 

Our subject has the reputation of a man of in- 
tegrity, wisdom, ami unfailing courtesy, which 
traits have gained for him a warm place in the af- 
fections of all who have the honor to know him. 
He is ever ready to promote the interests of the 
community in which he lives, and all calls for aid 
in carrying out benevolent schemes find in him a 
ready response. 



-s~^H3>€H->~^ 




AK'.MON 1>. MARBLE, the able editor and 
publisher of the Elk Creek Sentinel, is the 
son of Milton and Maria B. Marble. His 
father was born in Ohio, on the 16th of 
March, 1839, and lived there until about 1863, when 
he migrated to Wisconsin, making his home there 
about five years, lie then went to Iowa Falls. Iowa. 

where he engaged in mercantile transactions. From 
Iowa he removed to Table Rock, in this State, in 

tin' year I Mi'.), and was one of the first, settlers 
there. He entered a claim of undeveloped and un- 
cultivated land, and continued farming from that 
time onward until 1882, when he retired from ag- 
riculture and embarked in the real-estate business 
at Table Rock. 

The father of our subject was twice elect. 'd Com- 
missioner of the county, and is now serving his 
second term in that office. In the year 1865 he was 
united in marriage with Miss Maria Bump, of Iowa 
Kails. Iowa. There have been given to them six 
children, of whom three are still living. His wife 
died in 1871, aged about forty years. She was the 
daughter of S. C. Hump, of Iowa Falls. 

our subject was bom at Table Rock, Neb., on 
the 5th of November, 1870, and he continued to 
live there until 1884. There he received his early 
education and home training, afterward giving his 
attention to the printing business, with a view of 
making it his occupation in life. He went to l'aw- 



J* 



2.56 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4 



nee City, where he entered the Republican office 
and there learned the trade of a printer, remaining 

for a little over two years, also getting considera- 
ble insight into the general work of the office, gain- 
ing considerable editorial experience, much more 
than would be usually expected in one so young 
and in so short a time. The following two years 
he was engaged in various places, and in July of 
the past year (1888) opened the office ahove men- 
tioned. 

Mr. Marble edits a bright, cheery, newsy paper, 
in inifesting considerable knowledge and tact, lie 
has an increasing subscription list, and is well pat- 
ronized l>v advertisers, which promises well for his 
continued and ultimate success. In his political 
sentiments he is firmly established upon a Repub- 
lican foundation, and takes the greatest possible 
interest in everything connected therewith. He i> a 
young man of character, ability and enterprise, and 
without doubt, has yet to be heard from in connec- 
tion with his chosen path in life. On another page 
appears a portrait of this live editor and native of 
Nebraska. 



ERNANDES 11. ELLIS, proprietor of the 
leading blacksmith and repair shop at Crab 
Orchard, is numbered among the younger 
citizens of this place, and established himself in 
business here in August, 1884. lie is in the enjoy- 
ment of a good patronage as the result of a thor- 
ough understanding of his trade, turning out 
excellent work and giving employment to two men. 
He has been a resident of Nebraska since a boy 
nine vears of age, most of this time being spent in 
Johnson County, to which his parents came in 
L868, settling in Vesta Precinct. Nebraska at this 
time had not long enjoyed its dignity as a State, 
and the country around was still wild and new. 

Mr. Kllis was born in Whiteside County. 111., 
Sept. 7. I859,and remained with his parents assist- 
ing his father in the various employments incident 
1, , farm life until a young man twenty-three years 
of age, then going to Tecumseh, where he began 
his apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, at which 




lie served two years, and then worked as a journey- 
man by the day nearly One year. In the meantime 
he had saved what he could of his earnings, and 
was then ready to establish himself in business. 
He is of that cheerful ami courteous mien which 
never fails of making friends, and he is conse- 
quently the center of a pleasant cirelcof acquaint- 
ances, where he is ever welcome', and is in the 
enjoyment of a large measure of esteem and confi- 
dence. Our subject is a member in good standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he uni- 
formly votes the Republican ticket. 

Benjamin V. Kllis. the father of our subject, is a 
farmer by occupation, and resides on section 28, in 
Vesta Precinct. He was born in Dearborn County. 
Ind., in May. 1833, and is the son of David and 
Mary (Barton) Kllis, the former a native of Maine, 
and the latter born on the Atlantic Ocean while 
her parents were emigrating from their native Ire- 
land to America. They settled in Dearborn 
County, Ind.. during its pioneer days, where David 
Ellis carried on farming and also worked as a car- 
penter and wagon-maker. 

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood 
Miss Emily S. Roberts, and became the wife of 
Benjamin P. Ellis Nov. 26, 1856. Her father was 
Joseph Roberts, who was a carpenter by occupa- 
tion, a native of Maine, and spent his last years in 
Nebraska. To Benjamin P. and Emily Kllis there 
were born four children, three of whom are living, 
namely: Clara L.\ Fernandes H., our subject, and 
Lizzie. The elder sister married Charles IS. Strong, 
Of Cheyenne County, Kan., and they have two 
daughters — Mabel and Julia; Lizzie is the wife of 
John McConnel. of Crab Orchard. 

The father of our subject acquired his education 
in one of the primitive log school-houses of Dear- 
born County. Ind.. a structure built after the fash- 
ion of that day. with its slab seats pinned to the 
wall and the roof of clapboards held in place h\ 
weight-poles. The huge fireplace occupied nearly 
one side of the room, and the chimney was built 
of earth and sticks outside. Mr. Ellis removed 
from his native county to Whiteside County. 111., 
in 1856, where he carried on farming until the 
winter of 1868. Then coming to this county he 
homesteaded 160 acre s of land, which he still owns 



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•►Hl^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



257 



and occupies. IK' has now a fine farm with graded 
stock, and all the machinery necessary for the prose- 
cution of agriculture after the most approved meth- 
ods. As a citizen he is straightforward and 
upright, urn! held in high esteem. 



JOHN II. DIBLE, one of the representa- 
tive pioneers of this county, and who located 
in Spring- Creek Precinct in the fall of 1865, 
while Nebraska was a Territory, still resides 
on the land which he homesteaded at that time 
when not a furrow had been tinned, and upon 
which there had been no attempt whatever at im- 
provement, lie began in earnest the task before 
him of building up a homestead, and has now one 
of the finest farms in this region, which stands as a 
monument to his persevering industry. He oper- 
ated as a single man for a period of six years, re- 
solved to lay the foundation of a home before he 
invited a wife to share his struggles, and was then 
married. Feb. 25, 1*7:2. to Miss Beftie Iladen. 
This estimable lady has since been his helpmate, and 
their union has been blessed by six children, namely: 
Julia, Wilbur, Kate, Michael, Fanny and Esther. 
The eldest is fifteen years of age and the youngest 
two. 

Mr. Dible is the offspring of an excellent family, 
being the son of .John and Catherine (Ileekman) 
Dible, both of whom were of German ancestry, 
and spent the greater part of their lives in Penn- 
sylvania, where their decease took place. They 
were the parents of six children, five of whom are 
living, namely: Margaret, wife of William George, 
of Armstrong County, Pa.; Melinda, Mrs. John 
Loudin, also of that county; Zephaniah, a resident 
of Kansas: John II.. our subject; and (sabelle, Mrs. 
Robert Allison, of Marion County, Iowa. 

Mr. Dible was born in Armstrong County, Pa., 
Nov. 5, 1889, and then- Spent his youth and 
early manhood, receiving a common-school educa- 
tion and being thoroughly trained in all the em- 
ployments of farm fife. He remained a member 
of the parental household until a young m an 
twenty-three years old, but in the spring of 1862 
started out for himself. Making his way to De- 

«■ 



Kalb County. III., he occupied himself there at 
farming several months, and on the 1st of August 
of that year, the Civil War being in progress, en- 
listed as a Union soldier in Company ('•, 95th Illi- 
nois Infantry. His regiment, under the command 
of (Jen. Grant, was present at the siege of Vieks- 
burg, and later, under Gen. Banks, participated in 
the Red River expedition and was a special guard 
on board the fleet of transports which operated 
from the mouth of Red River. Later their divis- 
ion was again assigned to the command of (Jen. 
Banks in Louisiana, where Mr. Dible, with his 
comrades, fought at Yellow Bayou, being also at 
the capture at Ft. Derusa. Later he was under 
the command of Gen. Sturgis, at the time of his 
defeat at Guntown, Miss. He was also one of the 
number who followed the rebel General. Price, on 
his last raid in Missouri. Subsequently the regi- 
ment was sent to reinforce (Jen. Thomas at Nash- 
ville, and Mr. Dible participated in the two days' 
fight at that point, which resulted in the defeat of 
Hood's army. At Spanish Fort he was under fire 
a period of thirteen days, and in all participated in 
sixteen general engagements, besides numerous 
skirmishes. He continued in the army until after 
the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, and received 
his honorable discharge at St. Louis in August, 
1865. 

Returning now to his old haunts in Illinois, our 
subject remained there long enough to visit his 
friends and acquaintances, and a few months later 
made his way across the Mississippi to this county, 
of which he has since been a resident. Politically, 
he is a Union Labor man, and socially, belongs to 
the (;. A. R., Post No. 104, at Talmage, in Otoe 
County. He also affiliates with the Masons. 




ALMEE BLAKE.a well-known resident of 
1 1 el ei i a Precinct, and a leading land -owner, 
came to Nebraska dining the days of its 
early settlement, locating in this county 

when his neighbors were few and far between, and 

when his estimable wife, who had accompanied him 

here, did not sec the face of a white woman for a 
period of three months. Indians were plentiful 




•►Hl^ 



258 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



ami wild animals in abundance roamed over the 
country, which had been little disturbed by the in- 
roads of the white settler. The scenes and inci- 
dents u itnessed by this honored pioneer have passed 
before his eyes much like a panorama, and the years 
which to him seem comparatively brief have been 
filled with changes, mosl of them for the better, 
both in connection with his own personal history, 
and certainly that of the now important common- 
wealth of Nebraska. 

Of New England birth and ancestry, our subject 
first opened his eyes to the light in the little town 
of Brookfield, Vt.. June 1. L835. His parents. 
Joseph and Rebecca ( Williams) Blake, were uatives 
of Manchester. N. II., and the records indicate 
that the paternal ancestors did good service in the 
Revolutionary War. To Joseph ami Rebecca Blake 
there were born ten children, of whom the follow- 
ing survive: William, Amos. Seth M., Edward 
W., Joseph M., ami Palmer, our subject. Two 
children died in infancy. Those living are resi- 
dents mostly of Connecticut and New York. The 
father was a farmer by occupation, and spent his 
lasl year.-- in Vermont, dying about 1865, and the 
mother about 1 <st;o. 

Palmer Blake lived in the Green Mountain Mate 
until the eighteenth year of his age, acquiring a good 
common-school education and becoming thoroughly 
acquainted with agricultural pursuits as carried on 
in New England. He was a bright and ambitious 
boy. and determined to see something of the world 
before he was old. lie accordingly now left the 
parental roof, and the summer of 1 85 1 found him 
sojourning in the embryo city of Pock Island, 111., 
where for one and one-half years he was employed 
as clerk in a commission house. In 1856, pushing 
still further westward, he crossed the Mississippi 
into Decatur County. Iowa, where he met his fate 
in the person of Miss Frances A. Smith, to whom 
he was married Oct. 23. 1856. 

Mrs. Blake was born in Seneca County, Ohio, 
June 29, 1837, and is the daughter of Gaylord Gr- 
and Ada (Covey) Smith, who were natives of New 
York. The father spent his last year.- in Iowa. The 
mother is still living. To our subject and his 
excellent wife there were born twelve children, 
seven living: Seth !■"... a resident of Helena Precinct. 



this county; Nina P.. who is teaching school in the 
vicinity of her home; Fannie P., the wife of Alvali 
Whitney, of Spring Creek Precinct; Laura H.. the 
wife of II. Livingston, of Helena Precinct; Birdie 
J.. Joseph and Eva M.. at home with their parents. 

In the spring of 1857 Mr. Blake and his wife 
made their way to Nebraska Territory overland 
from Iowa, with two yoke of oxen and a wagon. 
After a ten days' journey, during which they 
camped out at night wherever darkness overtook 
them, and cooked by the wayside, they landed in 
Helena Precinct, this county, and located first on 
section 12. Taking up 160 acres of land they lived 
and labored there until the sprint;- of 1869, then 
changed their residence to their present farm. This 
likewise was obtained by Mr. Blake as a homesteader, 
ami is also 160 acre- in extent. It was in its wild 
ami primitive condition, and it has taken years of 
labor, besides involving an outlay of thousands of 
dollars, to bring it to its present condition. Mr. 
and Mrs. Blake endured many trials and privations 
during t he early years of their settlement in this 
county, but from the very first they exercised the 
spirit of perseverance and resolution which admits 
no such word as fail. 

After obtaining a foothold upon his first pur- 
chase, and gathering around his family the con- 
veniences most essential to their health and com- 
fort. Mr. Blake began to enlarge his possessions, 
investing a portion of his capital in additional 
land, and is now the owner of 600 acres. The home 
farm includes 280 acres, and the balance of his 
land lies mostly on section 32. He commenced in 
life at the foot of the ladder, dependent upon his 
own resources, and is thus essentially a self-made 
man. the architect of his own fortune. None have 
rejoiced mole in the development and prosperity 
of Nebraska, and no one man has contributed in a 
larger degree than Mr. Blake to bring it to its 
present condition. 

Our subject as one of the earliest settlers of 
Johnson County, and a man of more than ordinary 
capabilities, was at an early date called to fill its 
various positions of trust and responsibility. He 
has served as Justice of the Peace two terms, and 
Postmaster at Helena for four years, and has been 
for a number of years a member of the School 






f 



«4*- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



2.59 



Board in his district. He cast his first Presidential 
vote for Lincoln, and has been uniformly a sup- 
porter <>f Republican principles. lie is a promi- 
nent member of the Old Settlers' Association of 
Johnson County. Of sterling worth and integrity, 
be is accorded thai tacit respect earned by the pio- 
neers of Nebraska, and is a man whose word is 
considered as gfood as his bond. 



-~W ~v*££[2r@-5@ 




*g$^3/<5fl0*v--\/\/\^ 



t LLEN ('. BAKER. The Baker homestead, 
which is pleasantly located in Lincoln 
Precinct, on the eastern line of this county, 
occupies 320 acres <>f land on section 29, 
and is noticeable <>u account of one of the finest 
residences in the precinct, and which, with it s sur- 
roundings, shade and fruit trees, and a barn with 
all the necessary Out-buildingS, forms the modern 
idea of the complete country home. Mr. Baker i- 
n very industrious and energetic man. and in addi- 
tion to general farming is largely interested in 
stock-raising. Besides the home farm he has a 
half-interest in a quarter-section of land in com- 
pany with his brother-in-law, Mr. Frank M. Taylor. 
Mr. Baker, originally a New Englander, was 
horn Feb. 8, 1840, in Hawley Township. Franklin 
Co.. Mass.. and i> the son of Harvey and Ann K. 
(Carter) Baker, who were also natives of the Bay 
State, and were of English descent. Their ancestry 
crossed the Atlantic at an early period in the his- 
tory of America, settling in New England, some of 
t lii-m in time to take part in the struggle which se- 
cured to the Colonists their independence. Alien 

('. supposes himself to he one of ahont the seventh 

generation, and was the seventh son in his father's 

family, which consisted of nine children, six of 

whom are still living. The eldest daughter, Mar- 
garet, is the wife of C 1!. Mayhew; and Angeline, 

the wife of W. I.. Day; lioth of these arc resi- 
dents of Franklin County. Mass. 'Martha. Mrs. 

George Snow, is a resilient of Boston; and Eliza, 
Mrs. John Wells, also lives in Franklin County. 

Mr. Baker was reared to man's estate ill his na- 
tive county, where he received a good education, 
and this, together with the lifelong habil of read- 
ing, has made him a man of more than ordinan 



intelligence, lie keeps himself well posted upon 
the can-rent events, and is one with whom it is both 
pleasurable and profitable to converse. He fol- 
lowed farming as an occupation from his youth, 
and began early in life to make arrangements 
for the establishment of a home of his own. 
When these had sufficiently advanced he was 
united in marriage with Miss Margarel 1>. Tavlor. 
the wedding taking place at the home of the bride 
in Franklin County. Mass.. in 1868. 

Mrs. Baker was born in the state of Michigan in 
1847, and is the daughter of Milnor W. and Mar- 
garet T. (Taylor) Taylor, both of whom wen- Da- 
tives of Massachusetts, and her father a farmer by 
occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Baker left New En- 
gland inthespring of 1879, coming directly to 
this county, and settling where they now live. 

Air. Baker became quite prominent in the affairs 
of his native county, when- he joined the Re- 
publican party and was elected a County Commis- 
sioner, discharging the duties of his position in a 
manner creditable lo himself and satisfactory to all 
concerned, since coming to the West, however, 
In- has declined the responsibilities of office, al- 
though frequently solicited to take part in matters 
of public concern. I Ie and his excellent wife are 
both members of the Congregational Church, and 
occupy a good position, socially, among the intelli- 
gent and cultivated people of their community. 

^AMES E. CARLYLE, whose well-kept and 
well-cultivated farm is situated on the north- 
wesl quarter of section 20, Maple Grove 
Precinct, is the son of Jonathan ( arlvle. who 
was born Dec. '-'"-'. 1814, in Scotland. I Ie continued 
to liye in his native county until he came to Ne- 
braska, cm the 12th of .lime. 1887. During his 

earl\ life he was a COttOU weaver, lint afterward 

followed gardening until 1884. His wife, the 
mother of our subject, was .Mary Smith, who was 
also born in Scotland. The elate of her nativity 
was Nov. 19, 181 I. and she- came to America with 
her husband in 1887. Their family comprised 
eight children, of whom four were ~<>us; three only 
now living. These are: John Smith Carh h-. one 



f- 



-»■► 



260 



4- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



of Chicago's prosperous grocers; Mary, the wife of 
Samuel Ewehank, of Barrow-in-Furness, Lanca- 
shire, England; and .lames E. of Maple Grove, 
whose biography is here traced. Mr. and Mrs. Car- 
lyle, Sr., have come to spend the remainder of their 
lives with our subject in his American home. 

Mr. James E. Carlyle was born in Annan, Dum- 
friesshire, Scotland, on the 7th of September, 1856. 
He lived at home for twenty-seven years, and 
attended school in his native place for about 
eighteen months. When thirteen years of aye he 
commenced cotton weaving in the steam mills of 
his native town, and continued to follow the same 
for about four years. From that he went into 
business as a nurseryman, following the same for 
about ten years. At the end of that period he 
determined to emigrate to the New World, and 
assure himself of the truth of the advantages offered 
there for bettering one's position in life. Accord- 
ingly lie set sail for this country on the 12th of 
January, 1883, -and landed about ten days later in 
New York City. From there he went direct to 
Chicago, where he remained until the 1th of June, 
being engaged during that time in the grocery 
business with his brother, at No. 328 W.Madison 
street, in that city. 

In June, 1886, our subject came to Johnson 
County, and settled in Maple Grove Precinct, and 
took charge of the stock farm of his brother, who 
owns one quarter-section, and is making a specialty 
of Hereford cattle for breeding purposes, at the 
same lime supplying quite a huge number for ship- 
ment to Kansas City. They have a very line bleed 
of pure Herefords, some of them imported stock. 
Besides those of pure blood there are many of very 
high grade and quite valuable animals. 

Mr. Carlyle is still unmarried, and is now pre- 
paring to engage extensively in stock-raising, even 
more so than ever before. His brother, of Chicago, 
who is deeply interested in the business, was born 
on the 12th of March, 1842, in Annan. After 
leaving school he learned the grocery business, and 
followed the trade in Scotland until August. 1872. 
when he went to Chicago and commenced business 
for himself, which he has ever since continued. lie 
has also carried on his stock farm with all its varied 
' interests and responsibilities. At Red (loud, Web- 



ster County, he had a half-section, and used it 
chiefly for the breeding and feeding of Hereford 

grade cattle for the market, but has sold it. 

Mr. J. E. Carlyle is one of the prominent busi- 
ness men of the city of which he is a resident, and 
having commenced at the very foot of the ladder it 
is more to his credit that he has. unassisted and 
alone, made his way to his present position in the 
world of trade and society generally. 



—~pr 



• OllN M. ELLIOTT, whose general mercan- 
tile house in Crab Orchard is quite well and 
favorably known, and largely patronized, is 
I a native of Knox County, Ky. His whole 
life bears the marks of the State characteristics, and 
he is possessed of all the wide-awake, enterprising 
push of the Kentuckian, while the large-hearted and 
liberal, genial affability of that people is not wanting. 
The dateof his nativity was the 27lh of June, 1858. 
His father, Lewis Elliott, now deceased, was a 
native of the same State. This gentleman was the 
son of the Rev. Daniel Elliott, who was a Method- 
ist minister of reputation. He left Virginia, his 
native State, in early days, and made his home in 
the Blue Grass State. 

John Elliott, the subject of our sketch, left home 
when in his fourteenth year, and went to Moulton, 
Appanoose Co., Iowa. He attended school in the 
latter place for two years, and then went to Marshall 
County in the same State, where he worked for 
three years as a farm hand, during which time he 
still had opportunity to attend school during part 
of the winter. He came to this county in the 
spring of 18711, and fanned at Vesta until 1885, 
when he came to Crab Orchard, and established the 
present business under the firm name of DeCamp 
& Elliott. His partner afterward sold his interest 
to our subject, since which time he has been sole pro- 
prietor. He carries a stock of not less than fto.000,' 
and does an annual business of about $9,000. 

Miss Mary Mace and our subject were united 
in marriage Sept. 24, 1879. This lady is the 
daughter of Daviil and Susannah Mace, of North 
Carolina. She was born in the latter State on the 
14th of March, 1850. It was her misfortune to lose 



^U 



4 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



^r* 



261 



her father by death before the war. She lias pre- 
sented her husband with three children, of whom 
Eustace J. and Myo D. alone survive. For two 
years she was an invalid and a great sufferer, but is 
now completely restored to health, and able once 
more to take her accustomed place in the family 
circle, to the pleasure and delight of her family. 
Our subject began life at the lowest round of the 
ladder, having no friend to help or advise him, 
and to his honor be it said he has in every case 
made the disadvantages and discouragements but 
steps to renewed success. He is in sympathy with 
the Democratic party, and both feels and expresses 
himself forcibly upon the question of tariff reform. 

,WEN 1'. RICHARDSON, of Western Pre- 
cinct, may usually be found about his 
^J^ premises, which occupy a portion of section 
.'lii. His farm is noticeable for its good crops, its 
live stock and its comfortable buildings. Mr. R. 
is an Illinois man. having been born in Knox 
County, that State, Nov. 17. L845. His father, 
Pliny Richardson, a native of Kentucky, died about 

1 !S7.">. aged sixty year-. 

Our subject received a good education in the dis- 

trictscl Is of his neighborhood and High School 

tuition at Knoxville, III. He remained under the 
parental roof until reaching his majority, then 
stalled out to see the country west of the Missis- 
sippi. Going id tdaho Territory he traveled from 
there through Montana, Oregon and California, 
spending the winter of 1869 in San Francisco. 
lie skirmished considerably witb the Indians at 
different limes in Idaho. lie was there employed 
in herding cattle, and upon one occasion the Indians 
stole the ponies of himself and comrades, Mr. Rich- 
ardson and three others pursued and attacked about 
forty savages, in the meantime hiding themselves 
from the missiles <>f their foes among the rocks 

of which they built breast works, and there fought 
two nights and days. At the expiration of this 
time the remainder of their company, sixteen in 
number, came to their relief. They made awaj 
with twenty-seven of the redskins. < >n the other 
side three cf the white men fell to rise no more. 



Mr. Richardson and his comrades recovered their 
twenty ponies in addition to taking twenty from 
the Indians. 

In December, 1869, Our subject returned to Illi- 
nois, where he carried on fanning until February, 
1880. He then settled in this county and carried 
on agriculture iii the western part of Western Pre- 
cinct until the fall of 1884, when he secured the 
land which he now owns and occupies. In the 
meantime he was married, duly 18, 1870, ill Knox 
County, 111., to Miss Anna Powell. This lady was 
born July 15, 1849, in Fayette County, Ind., and 
is the daughter of George and Kigga (Copse) 
Powell, the latter of whom is deceased; the father 
survives and is living in Illinois. Of her union 
with our subject there were born nine children, 
six of whom are living, namely: Pliny, Alcy M.. 
Leonard, Clyde, Lloyd and Nina. The eldest is 
eighteen years of age. and the youngest fourteen 
months. They are living at home. Mrs. Eliza- 
beth (Pierce) Richardson, the mother of our sub- 
ject, is still living, and makes her home in Knox 
County, being now in tin' eighty-first year of her 
age, She has recently (October. 1888) been on a 
visit to her son. being sprightly and active and in 
the enjoyment of good health. The parental 
family consisted of eight children, seven hiving. 

Mr. Richardson cast his first vote for Abraham 
Lincoln, and uniformly continues his support of 
Republican principles, lie is numbered among the 
reliable citizens of his precinct, a man careful in 
his business transactions, honest and upright, and 
well thought of by his neighbors. 



-v 



ffiAMES STOLTENBERG. The subject of 
I this sketch came to Lincoln Precinct with his 
family in the spring of 1871. and settled on 
the farm which hi' now owns and occupies. 
purchasing eighty acres of raw prairie, which he 
has transformed into one of the finest farms in this 
precinct. Besides this property he has a quarter- 
section of good land in Nemaha County. He is 
classed among the representative German citizens 
of his county who have assisted largely in i'.s 
growth and development, bringing to h those 



f 



262 



*fr 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4- 



qualities of sturdy industry and perseverance which 
have assisted so materially in the development 
of its soil and the general prosperity of its peo- 
ple. Mr. S., in addition to general farming, is 
largely interested in stock-raising, having the typi- 
cal fat horses and cattle which arc always associated 
with the German agriculturist. 

A native of the Duchy of Holstein, our subject 
was born Oct. 25, 1842. and is the son of Henry 
and Bertha (Schoel) Stoltenberg, who were of pure 
German ancestry, and natives of the same Province 
as their son. The father died when .lames was a 
little lad of seven years, but the mother lived until 
about 188(1. she spending her last days in Iowa. 
She came to America with her daughter about 1866. 
The parental family included three children, of 
whom .lames, our subject, was the eldest. Bertha 
died in [owa when about forty-two years old; Lena 
is the wife of .lames Kahler, of Benton County, 
Iowa. 

In common with the children of Germany our 
subject was placed in school at an early age. and 
received a thorough education in his native tongue. 
After leaving school he was occupied with farming 
pursuits until twenty-two years of age. near the 
place of his birth. He was not satisfied, however, 
with his prospects for the future, and determined 
to seek his fortunes on the other side of the At- 
lantic. Bidding adieu to his friends and associ- 
ates, he engaged passage on a steamer hound from 
Hamburg to New York City, landing upon Ameri- 
can soil after an ocean voyage of fifteen days, lie 
proceeded at once to Rock Island County, 111., 
and for four years thereafter was engaged as a farm 
laborer in that locality. There also he met his 
fate in the person of Miss Catherine Hanburg, to 
whom he was married Oct. 12, 1866. This lady 
was born in Germany, in Holstein. Dec. '.). 1844. 
and comes of a good family, being the daughter of 
Marx and Dorothea (Blank) Hanburg, and a sister 
of Eggert Hanburg. a sketch of whom appears 
elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Stolten- 
berg commenced their wedded life together in 
Rock Island County, 111., whence they crossed the 
Mississippi, as we have already stated. Of their 
union there have been born four children, namely: 
Ferdinand G., Oct. 23,1867; Elizabeth, Aug. 24, 



1869; John, May 21. 1873, and Emil, Oct. 7. 1877. 
John died when three and one-half years old. 

Our subject and his estimable wife were reared 
in the doctrines of the German Lutheran Church, 
to which they still loyally adhere, attending divine 
services in Washington Precinct. Nemaha County. 

Mr. S., -politically, advocates the principles of 
the Democratic party, and in all respects has built 
up for himself the record of an honest man and a 
good citizen. 



-*^W2/®ig~• — fe 



te — >~gfS/?5»»». 



AUGUST BEETHE. There is no more 
pleasing spectacle than that of a young man 
yj starting out early in life, with a well-bal- 
anced mind and good habits, and establishing him- 
self as a useful member Of his community — one 
who wins from the first the esteem and confidence 
of his fellow-citizens. The subject of this sketch 
is a fine illustration of what a resolute will may 
accomplish, combined with great natural talents ami 
capabilities. Although but thirty years of age. he 
is already spoken of as one of the representative 
men of his township. He is the owner of a line 
farm, fully developed and improved, with hand- 
some and substantial buildings, pleasantly located 
on the southeast portion of section 27, Todd Creek 
Precinct. In addition to general agriculture he 
makes a specialty of stock-raising, keeping graded 
cattle, horses and swine. His cattle are of the 
Short-horn breed, the head of his herd being a full- 
blooded animal, and his horses, mostly draft ani- 
mals, are thoroughbred. I lis swine are the Poland- 
China. The residence is a fine large structure, and 
the barn and other out-buildings fully in keeping 
with the tastes and requirements of the progressive 
agriculturist. 

Mr. Beethe first set foot upon the soil of Ne- 
braska in the fall of 1869, when he was a lad of 
eleven years, lie was horn in DuPage County, 
111.. Aug. 2.">. 18")8, and lived there with his par- 
ents until they all crossed the Mississippi. The 
journey from the Prairie State was made overland 
with teams to Tecumseh, the travelers crossing the 
river at Nebraska ( ity. The father, after looking 



r 



JL 



■«HM« 



.lol IN SON COUNTY. 



263 



over tlii* country, linalh selected his location and 
purchased 280 acres it Todd Creek Precinct, which 
he brought to ;i productive condition, and upon 
which he effected good improvements, and later 
added to his landed estate, and subsequently divided 
even more than this among his sons. 

Our subjecl completed his education in the pio- 
neer schools of Todd Creek, becoming familiar with 
both the German and English tongues. Naturally 
bright and ambitious to learn, he improved his 
opportunities and became more than ordinarily 
well informed, tie assisted his father in the de- 
velopment of the new land, and remained a mem- 
ber of the parental household until the spring of 
1879. He then took possession of his own land, which 
:it th:it time was .-in unbroken prairie, and upon 
which he has labored with incessant industry it is 
easy to believe, for it now closely resembles the 
well-developed farm of several years' standing. lie 
has several acres of foresl trees, a fruit orchard in 
good bearing condition, and in the summer of 1882 
completed liis resilience. 

In his slock operations Mr. Beethe has been es- 
pecially successful. He provides carefully for the 
shelter and feeding of his animals, and in conse- 
quence enjoys from this industry a handsome in- 
come. His fields are divided with neat hedgefenc- 
ing. His domestic affairs are presided over by a 
very amiable and estimable lady, who became the 
wife of our subject on the 7th of December, 1884. 
She was formerly Miss Anna Duden, of Nemaha 
County, to which her mother emigrated from Ger- 
many in 1883, her father having come the previous 
fall. Mrs. Beethe was born in East Friesland, Ger- 
many, Oct. •>. 1867. She was sixteen years of age 
when her parents settled in the vicinity of II11111- 
boldt, Nemaha County, where she completed her 
education and lived until her marriage. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Beethe there have been born 
three children — Rosa and llaniia (twins) and 
Bertha. Our subject and his wife are members in 
good Standing of the Lutheran Church, and attend 
regularly upon the services held in the building 
which they assisted largely in erecting, and winch 
is near their home. It is a neat and tasteful struc- 
ture, and a credit to any neighborhood. .Mr. Beethe 
contributes liberally to those enter-prises having in 



view tin- moral and religious welfare of the com- 
munity. In company with his brother Carl II., a 
sketch of whom appear- elsewhere iii this volume, 
he i- at present putting up a building for the Ger- 
mania School, half a mile south, and a- contractors 
and builders the brothers have gained a reputa- 
tion fully equal to that which they possess as agri- 
culturists and business men. 

The parents of our subject, Carl and Wilhelmine 
(Bueltemeier) Beethe, were natives of Germany. 
The mother is deceased, hut the father is a resident 
of this precinct. Their family consisted of twelve 
children, ten of whom are living. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of I lenrv 

Duden, who, with his wife, was also a native of 
Easl Friesland, Germany, from which he emigrated 
in the fall of 1882 to America, and was joined by 
his family the following year. The latter included 
the wife, four sons and one daughter. Mr. 1). came 
1o this county, and with his estimable wife is still 
living, having their home near the Lutheran Church 

in Todd Creek Precinct, Occupying forty acres of 
land owned by our subject. Their sons arc resi- 
dents of Germany and Nebraska. 

Mr. Beethe, politically, is a stanch Republican, 
and has been prominent in local politics. He fre- 
quently represents his precinct in the County Con- 
ventions, has officiated as a Juryman, and tilled 
various other offices of trust, and responsibility. 
He and his excellent wife enjoy the friendship of 
the best people of their com 111 unity, and their home 
IS a most pleasant reSOl't, "hose hospitable doors 
are ever open, and whose surroundings indicate 
refined and cultivated tastes and ample means. 

■ISRAEL GEHR is one of the representative 
farmers of "Western Precinct. His property is 
iii situated upon section 8. The family of which he 
is a member is of ( Jernian extraction. Joseph Gehr, 
the grandfather of our subject, was born in that 
country and came to the United States about 1840. 

He was able to trace his ancestry back to one of 
the noble Huguenot families, which lied from France 
to Switzerland in 1685, during the cruel perse- 
cution of that people by the French Catholic 





JL 



-a*- 



264 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



('lunch and Government. The family of Joseph 
Gehr was one of the firsl families in Lancaster 
Counts, Pa. lie himself served as a Captain 
throughout the War of the Revolution, and helped 
to draw up the Constitution of the Keystone Stale. 
His son John, the father of our suhject, was horn on 
the Pennsylvania homestead, and as a young man 
served in a militia company, of which he held the 
Captaincy for twenty years. This gentleman died 
in Crawford County. Pa., in the year 1852. 

The subject of our sketch was horn on the I'd of 
August, LSI l.in Crawford County. Pa, and was 
reared upon the home farm, so that he has from 
earliest years been more or less acquainted with 
agricultural life. His education was such as was to 
he obtained in the common schools of that time, and 
though perhaps not so extensive in the range of 
subjects as now, was thorough in the branches 
taught and practical. 

The marriage of Israel Gehr was celebrated on 
the 16th of May, 1839. He was then united in wed- 
lock with Ann. the estimable daughter of William 
Smiley. There have been seven children born to 
them, four of whom are living. The family record 
gives the names of the members of this family as 
follows: .lames \Y.. Sarah. Ella, Ktlie; Sanford L. 
S., who died at the age of twenty-four years; Hen- 
rietta K. who was married to J. W. Beatty, and 
after several years of happy wedded life died, leav- 
ing three children, whose names are Harland, 
Emma and Lily A.; the other daughter, Mary A., 
died at the age of fifteen years. Sarah Gehr was 
united in marriage with Alfred Robinson, of Nel- 
son, Nuckolls County, this State; she is the 
mother of two children, viz: Ethel Pearl and Jay. 
Ella is the wife of the Rev. Stokeley Roberts, of 
Beatrice, a Presiding Elder in the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church: they are the parents of four children — 
Walter W.. Guy, Herbert and Violet. 

The settlement of Mr. Gehr in this county dates 
from 1870. lie first bought land near Sterling, 
moved upon it and began to improve a farm, 
where he made his home until the spring of 1882, 
when he settled upon his present farm. lie is the 

owner of ->-2^ acres of g I agricultural land. The 

farm occupied by him at present lies adjoining the 
village of Crab Orchard: his improvements indi- 



cate the good taste and management of the owner. 
Our subject has retired from active labor and is 
living at case, and is now enjoying some of the 
fruits of the labor of former years. 

The subject of our sketch occupied the seat, Of 
Justice of the Peace for one term, and did so in a 
manner most satisfactory. Both he and his wifeare 
much respected members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and in the community at large are 
held in high regard. 

^ L. ARCHER, a well-known and highly re- 
spected citizen of Sterling, is classed among 
the wealthy farmers ami extensive land-own- 
ers of Johnson County. His large farm, 
comprising GOO acres of land of unsurpassed fer- 
tility and productiveness, is finely located, and 
with its neat, commodious buildings, fine orchard, 
considered to be one of the best in the county, its 
grove of forest trees, and many other attractions, 
is, indeed, a valuable estate, and one of which the 
family may well be proud. 

Mr. Archer is a New Englander by birth, born 
amid the beautiful hills of Vermont, June 24, KS18. 
He was reared and educated in his native State, 
and there married Oct. 27, 1839. He was reared to 
the life of a farmer, and was actively engaged in 
that occupation until 1884, since which time he has 
led a more retired life in his home in the city, al- 
though still looking after his extensive agricultural 
interests. He continued to live in the Green 
Mountain State until 1848, when he removed with 
his family to Livingston County, 111., where he re- 
sided for many years, prosperously engaged in 
agriculture. In 1875 he came to Nebraska with 
his family, and located on his present farm, having 
bought 1,400 acres of land here in the year 1867. 
He has now reduced the area of his farm to 600 
acres by generously providing homes for his chil- 
dren, of whom there are five surviving of the 
thirteen born to him, all of whom are married and 
settled in life. When he came here his farm was 
an unbroken prairie, but by hard work he now has 
it all in cultivation and pasture, and has an excel- 
lent orchard of about 500 trees, mostly apple trees 



-«•- 



i*H|--*» 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



265 



of the besl varieties, and he also lias a grove of 
wild plums near the bouse. He planted twenty 
acres of timber, but most of the trees have died. 
He has, however, a beautiful grove of box elders, 
and it is said that lie has planted more trees than 
any other man in the county, having planted 30,000 
in all of various kinds, thus giving practical evi- 
dence of his belief in arboriculture. If all of'our 
agriculturists would do as well in proportion it 
would have an important bearing upon the ques- 
tions discussed by scientists, who are carefully 
studying the means of preserving the forests. Mr. 
Archer's farm is amply provided with suitable 
buildings; he has a good farmhouse, barn, corn 
cribs (one of which is capable of holding 4,000 
bushels), an ice house, and other buildings too 
numerous to mention. In 1884 Mr. Archer rented 
his farm and moved into the city of Sterling, where 
he bought a line property and has a commodious 
and comfortable home. 

Mr. Archer is a man whose judgment and busi- 
ness ability are of a high order, and he stands well 
in this community, where he has made many warm 
friends as a man and as a citizen. He and his 
family are among the leading members of the Bap- 
tist Church. Politically, .Mr. Archer is a straight 
Republican, and uses his influence to promote the 
best interests of his party. lie takes a genuine 
interest in the welfare of this city, and is the en- 
COIirager of all enterprises tending to its moral, in- 
tellectual or financial progress. lie has also 
assisted in the administration of its public affairs, 
having been elected to the City Hoard in 1*80, 
ami serving very efficiently, and to the acceptance 
of his colleagues during his term of office. 

~~ t — ' •—w— &SF8— t— ■ • — --~- 

ON. CHARLES ('. ELLIS, Postmaster of 

V Sterling, is one of its foremost citizens, 

yr^ and was for some years prominently identi- 

(^) lied with its business circles. He is a New 

Englander by birth, breeding and descent, having 

been born in .Monmouth. Kennebec ( o., Me., dune 

I. 1842. His parents, Benjamin S. and Mary A. 

(Storms) Ellis, were natives Of .Massachusetts. His 

father died in .Maine, in 1886, at the age of seventy- 



seven.^ His mother is still living in that State, and 
is now seventy-one years old. Of her family of 

three children our Subject is next to the eldest. 

Our subject grew to manhood and was educated 
in bis native State, living there quietly until the 
second year of the war. when he. then but twenty 
years of age, shouldered his gun and knapsack and 
marched forth to assist in the defense of his coun- 
try on Southern battle-fields, enlisting, in August, 
1862, in Company K. 7 th .Maine Infantry. He served 
three years or until after the close of the war, 
and took part in a number of heavy engagements, 
anionic which were Antietain, Fredericksburg, the 
battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. In 
June, 1864, he was captured near Beam's Station, 
in North Carolina, by the 1st North Carolina Cav- 
alry, and taken to Libby Prison. After staying 
there about two months he was transferred to 
AndersonviUe. whence he was subsequently sent 
to Florence, N. C, where he remained a prisoner 
about six months, lie was released in Novem- 
ber. 1*1! Land went home on a furlough for two 
months, lie rejoined his command in January. 
1865, and remained in the South amid the active 
scenes of battle until after the .-lose of the war. 
being mustered out in June, 1*6.">. lie returned to 
his friends without a wound, but his health im- 
paired by exposure on the held of battle and in 
rebel prisons. After his return to his old home 

when he left theaiiny.be went to Central America. 
lie staid awhile in that semi-tropical country, an 
interested witness of the many strange scenes pre- 
sented to the eyeof a stranger reared in the North, 
but in 1*1!* he retraced his steps to Maine, lie 
lived there and in .Massachusetts until 1869, when 
lie came as far we-1 as Council Bluffs, Iowa, and in 
that city, in June. 1870, lie was united in marriage 
).. .Mrs. Sarah S. (Gray) Tucker. In 1*72 he came 
to Nebraska and located in this county on a farm 
nine miles from Sterling, having decided to try 
agriculture on the rich -oil in this State. He was 

thus engaged for some years with capital success, 
but he finally turned his attention to mercantile 
pursuits in this city, first opening a grocery store. 
and subsequently adding a stock of general mer- 
chandise. He built up quite a large and profitable 
trade, and carried on the bu-iness until he closed it 




**Z**+ 



4= 



266 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



to accepl his presenl office. He soon became a con- 
spicuous figure in the councils of the Democratic 
party, of which he has been a supporter since he 

attained his majority, and in 1886 he was elected 
to the State Legislature to represent this county. 
His course as a legislator marked him as a candid, 
clear-headed, thoughtful man. who worked for the 
highest interests of his adopted county and State. 
regardless of party issues. After serving in the 
Legislature sixteen months. .Mr. Ellis resigned his 
seat, in onler to accept the postmastership of Ster- 
ling-, .May 23, 1887, and he is now filling that posi- 
tion to the universal satisfaction of the public. His 
geniality, courtesy and ready tact make him very 
popular, and he lias hosts of friends. lie is a mem- 
ber of Sill Post No. :»'.'. G. A. R., at Sterling, and, 
with his wife, occupies an assured position among 
the representative people of one of the most cult- 
ured and enterprising cities of Johnson County. 



* ^^ * 



*t 



W 'VILLI AM DROOK. Among the prominent 
and wealthy citizens of Johnson County 
must be mentioned the gentleman whose 
history it is endeavored clearly but succinctly to 
relate in this sketch, who has retired from active 
engagements in farming, and is enjoying the har- 
vest of former years. The beautiful residence of 
our subject stands at the end of Sixth street in the 
city of Tecumseh, is in keeping with his position in 
society, and speaks eloquently of the fact that suc- 
cess in life has been his. The position of his resi- 
dence is such as to command an extensive and 
excellent view of the city and its surroundings for 
many miles. The grounds connected with his resi- 
dence are most admirably laid out and kept, whether 
we turn from lawn to flower-beds, from these to the 
bowers and shady groves, or wander through the 
conservatory, everything is well-kept and admirably 
arranged, and comprises one of the nicest suburban 
residences in the district. 

Mr. Drook was born near Liberty, in Union 
County, Ind., Feb. 12, 1830, and continued to make 
his home in that place until he was about thirty-five 
years of age. The days of childhood and youth 
were spent much in the same manner as those of his 



companions, and were an alternate round of play 
and school tasks, interspersed with some of the 
lighter duties connected with the home. As soon 
as he was old enough he went to farming, and lias 
followed that occupation all his life. Upon moving 
from Liberty he went to Grant County and pur- 
chased a farm, where he enjoyed much success. 
Meeting with an advantageous offer he concluded 
to sell the property, and removed to Todd Creek 
Precinct, Johnson County, and upon the lGthof 
March. 1870, purchased 280 acres, which he imme- 
diately began to improve. 

The chief occupation of our subject has been 
along the line of general farming, of which his 
knowledge is thorough, and. being a man who by 
disposition will never do a thing by halves, he is 
reaping where perhaps others would have failed. 
Although not devoting his special attention to stock 
farming he owns some fine stock, and having a 
special liking for good horses has been careful to 
obtain some of the finest specimens possible. He 
keeps the finest driving-team of "browns" to be seen 
in quite a large distance. Their weight is about 
1,000 pounds, and however often the}' may be seen 
will always attract attention and excite remark as 
being far above the average of even fine driving 
horses. 

The subject of this sketch staid upon this farm 
until the spring of 1887, then removed to his pres- 
ent home. All that he is or has become is the 
result of his own efforts, excepting as he received 
a good education, and w:rs throughout the years of 
their wedded life aided and sustained by the inspir- 
ing and enthusing companionship of the lady who 
w:is to every responsibility so nobly true and 
faithful. 

The lady to whom Mr. Drook linked his life was 
Miss J. Jerusha Snyder. Their nuptials were cele- 
brated on the 11 th of December, 1855. Of this 
union live children have been born, of whom, how- 
ever, but one survives. His wife and two grown 
children died here, the others in Grant County, Ind. 
The child living is his son Parker, who has received 
from his father a good education, and is now at 
home with him. Our subject was again married, to 
Miss Ann Steinberger, of Iowa, their union being 
celebrated in Johnson, Neb., in July, 1881. 

« ► 




■*•■ 



i*Hh-*« 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



2G7 



The grandfather of our subject was born on the 
7th of June. 1787, in Virginia, and continued to 
reside in his native State until his marriage with 
Miss Salvine Farsher. After their marriage the 
young couple moved to and settled in Indiana, and 
there continued to make their home. lie departed 
this life in 1870, at the age id' eighty-three years, 
ami was survived by his wile until the year 1881, 
All his life lie followed the occupation of farming. 
and was thoroughly practical in every department 
Of his calling. His religious home was in the Ger- 
man Baptist or Dunkard Church. The home circle 
of this family included eleven children, all of whom 
are now living except the youngest. 

The subject of our sketch is a worthy representa- 
tive of this interesting family, and in the commu- 
nity is accorded general esteem, lie is not prominent 
in political circles, never Inning found much op- 
portunity while engrossed with his farm labors for 
SUCh engagements. lie is, however, a stanch sup- 
porter of the Republican party, and has always 
been, and is numbered among the most substantial, 
wealthy, and much valued citizens ofTecumseh. 



*!*- 






II.LIAM II. TALCOTT,a pioneer farmer 
Jll of Johnson County, located in 
vjy Precinct as earh as 1872, and is 



now the 



\rJll <>f Johnson County, located in Nemaha 

owner of 1 1- acres of good land lying on the south- 
east quarter of section ">. lie has been a resident 
of Nemaha Precinct since 1*72, when he settled on 
the virgin prairie, commenced breaking the sod. 
building the necessary structures and setting out 
an orchard and a grove of forest trees. The fields 
arc laid off with wire or hedge fencing, and the soil 
has been brought to a high state of cultivation. 
Besides general farming Mr. Talcotl has been con- 
siderably interested in stock-raising. 

In October, 1888, Mr. Talcotl -old out and took 
up his residence in Johnson Village, where he built 
a hotel, which he operated fifteen months, then sold 
out and purchased the farm when- he now lives. 
this becoming his property on the 25th of Febru- 
ary. 1885. Here, as before, he has been continually 
making improvements, conspicuous among which is 
a grove of fores! trees covering three acres of 



•»-**: 



ground, an orchard in good bearing condition and 
smaller fruits in abundance. 

Mr. Talcotl has been a very industrious man. 
and has freely given of his services to those ob- 
jects Inning in view the welfare of the people 
around him. lb' believes in the establishment and 
maintenance of schools, and since his residence in 
Johnson County has officiated as Director a greater 

portion of the time, lie votes with the Republican 
party, but has no aspiration for political honors. 

I loth he and his excellent wife are members in g I 

standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Tecumseh,and warmly interested in Sunday-school . 
work'. 

Our subject first opened his eyes to the light in 
tin' city of Rock Island. III., March 11, 1844, when 
it was an unimportant town, lie received his early 
education in Winnebago and Henry Counties, to 
the latter of which his father removed ami carried 
on farming, besides operating a ferry across the 
Rock River. William II. when large enough had 
charge of the boat, anil later was engaged as a 
traveling salesman. On the 5th of December, 1866, 
he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Ed- 
wards, at the home of I he bride in Johnson Count v. 
Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Talcott commenced the jour- 
ney of life together in a snug home in Henry 
County. III., and they arc now the parents of a 
charming group of children, five in number, two 
sons and three daughters, namely: Charles A.. 
Maude, Harry, Grace and Lottie. They are all at 
home with their parents, and being carefully t rained 
and educated. Maude was graduated from the 
Tecumseh High School in the class of '87, and is 
now employed as a teacher. Charles will graduate 
from the class of '89. 

Mrs. Martha (Edwards) Talcott was burn in 
Lewis County, N. 1\, Jan. 8, 1845, and is the daugh- 
ter of William S. and l'nmelia (Could) Edwards. 
Her father was a farmer by occupation, and upon 
leaving the Empire State emigrated to Illinois. He 
only lived there one year, however; then, crossing 
tin' Mississippi, Settled in the vicinity of Oxford, 
fifteen miles west of Iowa City, where he carried on 
farming a period of twelve years. Then, retiring 

from active labor, he disposed of his property. 

moved into the village of Oxford, and there lived 
— •» 



f 



4 



268 



*» 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



-f 



until his death, which occurred t>ct. 8, 1886. The 
mother had preceded her husband to the better 
land in August, 1881. Their family included five 
children, three sons and two daughters, four of 
whom are living and residents of Iowa. 

The mother of Mrs. Talcotl was a very excellent 
lady, beloved by all who knew her. and a devoted 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She 
had a kind and tender hear! for those in affliction, 
and was very efficient in sickness, being an excel- 
lent nurse, and always ready to volunteer her serv- 
ices to those in need. She is most tenderly re- 
membered by her children as the model wife and 
mother, and one whose example was well worthy 
of their imitation. Their father during his younger 
years was not a member of any religious organiza- 
tion, lint, through the patient example and good- 
ness of his life companion, finally joined the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member 
at the time of his death. 

The father of our subject, Asel Hubbard Tal- 
cott, was horn in Fairfield, Herkimer Co.. X. Y., 
March 15, 1804, and lived there until after his 
marriage. The wife and mother in her girlhood 
was Miss Jane Thayer. From the Empire State 
they removed to a farm in the vicinity of Chagrin 
Falls, Ohio, and thence, in 1839, to Rock Island 
County, 111. Asel Talcott was one of the earliest 
pioneers of the western part of Illinois. lie made 
the journey by boat down the Ohio and up the 
Mississippi. Before removing his family, however, 
he had visited the State, making the trip on horse- 
back, during which he met a great many Indians. 
The wife and mother only lived two or three years 
after the removal of the family to Illinois. Mi-. 
Talcotl was then married to Mrs. Minerva Newton, 
and they became the parents of three children: 
William II.. our subject, and his two sisters. Lucy 
and Mary. The maiden name of the mother of 
our subject was Minerva Shaw. She was born at 
Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co.. X. Y., March 18, 
1815, and removed with her parents to Michigan, 
where she was married to Mr. Newton. Later they 
removed to Illinois, where the deatli of Mr. X. took 
place, and where she was married to Mr. Talcott. 
Her deatli took place at the home of her younger 
daughter, in Spring Hill. III.. April 7. 1885. Asel 



Talcott departed this life Feb. '.I. 1876, at his home 
in Illinois. Loth were members of the Presbyter- 
ian Church, in which the father was one of Hie 
chief pillars and a I >eacon. 

The paternal gram 1 fat her of our subject was John 
Talcott. a native of New York State, where he spent 
his entire life, lie carried on farming and dealt in 
fine horses. He married a Miss Hubbard, of Con- 
necticut, and they became the parents of live chil- 
dren, all of whom lived to mature years. 



-♦>->©sJ->~ 



fr 



"if ACOB BLAKELEY, of Todd (reek Precinct, 
seti led on the farm where he now lives during 

the pioneer days of Johnson County, and 
' while laboring to build up his homestead 
watched with livcl\ interest the growth and pros- 
perity of this section of country. lie has been no 
unimportant factor in developing the agricultural 
interests of his adopted county, having transformed 
a portion of its wild prairie land into one of the 
tines! homesteads within its borders. His farm is 
32(1 acres in extent, and occupies the northern half 
of section 8. The land possesses many natural ad- 
vantages, being well watered and extremely fertile, 
and most pleasantly located. Its improvements are 
first-claSS, and it has been brought to its present 
condition only by the most incessant industry, wise 
management, and a liberal outlay of money. 

Mr. Blakeley paid £."> per acre for his present 
farm, at a time when much of the land around him 
could be purchased at *:i. lie is in possession of 
the whole original purchase, with the exception 
of one acre on the southeast corner, which he 
donated for a school-house, and another acre 
on the southwest corner which he also donated 
for the Grand Prairie Cemetery. He has eighty 
acres of mostly lame and native pasture, besides 
groves of forest tree- of his own planting. The 
land was raw prairie at the time of his taking pos- 
session, upon which a furrow had never been turned, 
and there was nothing to indicate that the foot of 
a white man had ever passed over it. The improve- 
ments now include a handsome and commodious 
residence, which was erected in 1882, and stands in 



-?►*-«• 



-*•■ 



.JOHNSON COUNTY. 



269 



i. 



the midst of shrubbery and ornamental trees. Ad- 
jacent is an apple orchard of four acres, to which 
the proprietor is adding :it intervals by the plant- 
ing of additional trees, and the smaller fruits are 
enjoyed in their seasons. The farm in short is 
complete in every department, and fulfills the 
popular idea <>f the modern country estate. 

The subjecl of this sketch was born in Burling- 
ton County. N. J., Nov. 24, 1832, and when a child 
two years of age was taken by his parents to Sanga- 
mon County. 111., they settling upon a tract of 
land near the then embryo town of Springfield. The 
land, however, lay in .Mason County adjoining, and 
the father secured it at the regular Government 
price of $1.25 per acre. His first purchase was a 
quarter-section, to which he added until he had a 
farm of 100 acres, and brought the whole to a fine 
state of cultivation. I'pon this farm young Jacob 
was reared to manhood, obtaining his education in 
the pioneer schools, and becoming familiar with 
agricultural pursuits, lie lived there until making 
his way across the Mississippi in the fall of 1868. 

The early life of our subject passed in a com- 
paratively uneventful manner, and when ready to 
establish a home of his own he was united in mar- 
riage, April IS, ISO.*!, to Miss Cinderella Yallan- 
digham. This lady, a native of Indiana, became 
the mother of live children, and departed this life 
at her home in Todd Creek Precinct, May 1, 1884, 
when about fifty-two years old. Her illness was 
comparatively brief, she suffering from dropsy of 
the heart. Her children are all living. Franklin 
1'.. the eldest, was born Aug. '2, 1859, and is farm- 
ing on his own land in Buffalo County, this State; 
he also conducts a livery business at Armada. He 
married Miss Ida Lester, of this county, and they 
have two children — Justus and Ollie. The second 
son. Sherman I... was born June 16, 1865, and is 
carrying on a farm of 160 acres in Dawson County, 
Neli.: he married a Miss Radcliff, of Illinois, and 
they have two children — Fairyand Eveline. Luther 
L. Blakelej was born Jan. 8, 1867, and has just 

l testeaded a quarter-section of land in Hayes 

County, although not having yel taken possession; 
Nathan II. was horn Nov. 24, [869; Walter A.. 
Nov. '21. 1871, and both are at home with their 
father. The mother was a lifelong member of the 

•4* 



Baptist Church, and a lady possessed of main es- 
timable qualities. 

Mr. Blakeley, on the 26tb of August, 1885, con- 
tracted a second marriage, with Miss Margaret 
.1. Swartz, who was born in Clarion County, Pa., 
.Ian. 18, 1840. She lived there with her parents 
until 1855, then came with them to Nebraska, and 
completed her education in the Peru Normal 
School. Later she engaged in teaching, being a 
pioneer in her profession in this county. Her par- 
ents, Fredrick and Margaret (Labaugh) Swartz, 
were natives respectively of Denmark and Penn- 
sylvania, and spent their last years in Nebraska and 
Pennsylvania. The father was ;i fanner by occu- 
pation, and the parental household included ten 
children, eight of whom are living and residents 
mostly of Nebraska. 

.lames Blakeley, the father of our subject, was 
born in New Jersey, May I'.'. ISO?, and married 
Miss Hannah Scott. March 22, 1828. They lived 
in New Jersey until L 834, then removed first to 
Ohio and later to Illinois, settling in the latter 
State in that part of Sangamon County which is 
now Mason County. There the father developed a 
fine large farm, where he spent the remainder of his 
days, his death taking place about 1871. The 
mother, who was born Feb. is. 1806, survived her 
husband about ten years. The latter was a de- 
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in which he served as Class-Leader many years, 
and to the support of which he contributed in a 
liberal manner, lie was a quiet and unassuming 
man. seldom meddling with politics, although 
keeping himself well posted upon matters of gen- 
eral interest. The parental family included nine 
children, seven of whom are living, making their 
homes mostly in Illinois and Nebraska. 

Jacob Blakeley has been active in the encourage- 
ment of every laudable enterprise in his community, 
and has contributed of hi- time, means ami inllu- 

ence for the furtherance of its general welfare. He 
ha- been for many long years a member of the 
Free Will-Baptist Church, and assisted in the 
erection of the church edifice, which stands exactly 
opposite his home. lie was ils first Deacon and 
Trustee, and for a number of years officiated as Sun- 
day-school Superintendent, withdrawing from its 



^h-* 



4 



270 



■afr 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



f 



duties and responsibilities about two years ago,and 
resting two years, when he was again persuaded to 
assume the harness. Like his father he has little taste 
for polities, although discharging the duties of the 
various township and school offices, and being care- 
ful to perforin his duties at the polls. He has been 
a member of the School Board nearly every year 
since coming to this State, lie is an active Sun- 
day-school worker, and believes in the careful re- 
ligious education of the young. In 1888 he was 
chosen President of the .lohnson (duntv Sunday- 
School Union, an association which is flourishing, 
and holds its stated meeting. 

.Mr. Blakeley, in addition to general' farming,has 
of late years given his attention largely to stock- 
raising, and has for the prosecution of this indus- 
try all the conveniences of this later day. His 
career has been thai of an upright, conscientious 
Christian gentleman, one wdio has secured the con- 
fidence and esteem of his community in more than 
an ordinary degree, lie forms one of the land- 
marks of Johnson County, one of those men to 
whom it is indebted for the position itoccupies to- 
day among the prosperous communities of the 
Great West. 



fflAMKS N.HOWARD. Among the promi- 
nent and much valued citizens of the Greal 
West may lie found many of the heroic pa- 
triots who survived the strife of battle, the 
scourge of camps and the barbarisms of the war 
prisons. In the following lines is briefly sketched 
the biography of one of the veterans of the Civil 
War. He is one of the prosperous farmers of West- 
ern Precinct, his property being situated upon sec- 
tion 4. He was ushered into the world on the 18th 
of December, 1839, in Henderson County. 111. His 
father. Robert Howard, since deceased, was a native 
of Jackson County. Ohio, hut emigrated to Hen- 
derson County. 111., soon after it was opened for 
settlement, and was numbered among its early pio- 
neers. 

The subject of our sketch was reared to man- 
hood upon the farm of his father; educational ad- 
vantages were small, and opportunities for mental 



training were limited and circumscribed. In the 
spring of 1854 he went to Butler County. Iowa, 
which was at that time still in a very wild state, 
and occupied almost Solely by Indians, wdio. al- 
though they had received some severe lessons con- 
cerning the power of the pale faces, occasionally 
allowed their wild pas-ions to run riot for the time 
being, totally disregarding the lessons of the past. 
In the late war Mr. Howard was among those who 
enlisted early in the struggle. He became a mem- 
ber of Company E, 32d Illinois Infantry, which 
was attached to the 2d Brigade. 3d Division. 16th 
Army Corps, and served for a period of- three years, 
lie was presenl and actively engaged in the battles 
at Ft. Derusa, La., and Pleasant Hill, at which hat- 
tie he was captured and kept in durance vile at Ty- 
ler. Tex., for thirteen months, realizing all the 
perils and horrors of that place, the name of which 
i- burned into the brain of so many Union vet- 
erans. At the end of that period he made hisescape 

by the favor of one of the guards, who, although 
having been forced into the rebel service, was, at 

heart, true to the old Hag. He discreetly turned 
his hack at the opportune moment, which allowed 
Mr. Howard ami some companions the long looked- 
for opportunity and escape. They leaped the wall 
close to the friendly sentinel, and secreted them- 
selves under cover of a thick hush. This occurred 
at about :'. o'clock in the morning. The escape be- 
gun so auspiciously ended almost as favorably, and 
two of the three still live to tell the tale, viz., our 
subject and T. A. Packard, of Ottawa County, Kan. 
The other companion. S. Jewett, continued until 
his death, in 1886, a resident and prosperous citi- 
zen of Wright County, Iowa, This gentleman was 
the only one of the three who met with an accident 
at the time of the escape, for he was afterward re- 
captured, tried, and condemned to be shot, but the 
Captain, who had a very tine thoroughbred horse, 
which he greatly desired to have taken to Ft. Smith. 
allowed Mr. Jewetl to ride it there and deliver it 
to his wife. After that, his escape was happily ac- 
complished. 

At the close of the war our subject returned 
home, and on the 1th of July, 1865, became the 
husband of Sarah, daughter of Elijah P.ishee; in 
August of the same year they came to this county 




Residence of 0. M. H o lm es , Sec. 2. 3.(4=11.) Todd Creek precinct. 







OF J . F. Macy,Sec.36.(6.9.j5terling Precin 



■->.'"■ '-■ " ;-■■ 



&m 




Residence of Jacob J. Zinsmaster.Sec.29. Helena Precinct. 




JOHNSON COUNTY. 



273 A 



and settled upon their present farm. This property 
is 150 acres in extent, and is operated as a general 
grain and stuck farm. Seven children have been 
born to Mr. and .Mrs. Howard, viz.: Mary I>. was 
born on the 1 Itli of August, 1866; Martha B., on 
the 1st of March, L868; Robert N., On the 26th of 
March, 1870; David E.,Feb. 17, L872; Olive J., on 
the 1 2th of August, 1878; James G., on the 26th 
of June, 1880, and .Inlia M., on the 3d of duly. 
1882. Mary is the wife of F. Riley Jones, and is 
the mother of one daughter, Florence. She makes 
her home with her father. 

In various social circles Mr. Howard is most 
heartily received. He is a prominent and enthusi- 
ast ic member of the < '• . A. R. and also of the I. ( ). 
<1. T. The religious home of himself and wife 
is within the pale of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, where they are looked upon as being among 
the very stanch supporters. Mr. Howard is a Re- 
publican, anil at all times ready to lake his part in 
advocating and advancing the principles and inter- 
ests of the party. lie is a man of undoubted loy- 
ally, fine character and unimpeachable honor, suc- 
cessful iii his calling in life, and in every regard a 
very worthy citizen. 



^# 



-v- 



-7 



^ss^ TEPHEN W. EATON, of Spring Creek Pre- 
^j£ cinct, came to this county in the spring of 
vM D) 1883, and for two years thereafter was a 
resident of Sterling Precinct, in the north- 
western part of the county. At the expiration of 
this time he removed to his present farm, on section 
.;:!, where he has 160 acres of good land with mod- 
ern improvements. He is a self-made man in the 
strictest sense of the word, and prominent in the 
affairs of his community, serving as School Director, 
and lilling other positions of trust. Politically, he 
is a solid Republican. He and his estimable wife 
are members in good standing of the Christian 
Church, and take an active interest in everything 
tending to the social and moral elevation of the 
people around them. 

A native of I. ii/.crnc County , Pa., OUT subject was 
bom Feh. 1, is,", |. and is the son of Hugh and 
Phebe (Munson) Eaton, the former a native of 



County Antrim. Ireland, and the latter of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

llnyh Eaton, the father of our subject, emigrated 

to America when a youth of nineteen years, and for 
a short, time employed himself at whatever he could 

find to do in the city of New York. Upon leaving 
the metropolis he made his way to Luzerne County, 
Pa., where he was married, and carried on farming 
until 1865. Then disposing of his property and 
gathering together his family and household effects, 
he proceeded overland to Henry County, 111., of 
which he has since been a resident, carrying on 
farming successfully, and building up a good home 
for himself and his family. The latter originally 
included a large number of sons and daughters, of 
whom the following survive, namely: Mary, the 
wife of Joseph Rogers, a resident Of Henry County, 
111.; Susan, Mrs. .1. N. Brown, of Holt County, this 
State; Stephen \V., our subject; .lames, who occu- 
pies the old homestead in Henry County, III.; 
George, also a resident, of that county; Matilda, 
teaching school in Henry County; Maggie, the wife 
of B. Hadley, cashier of the Fanners' National 
Bank, of Cambridge, 111.; Annie, Carrie, William 
and Oscar, residents of Cambridge, where the par- 
ents also live. The latter are now well advanced 
in years, and are surrounded by hosts of friends 
besides their large family of children, by whom they 
are held in the wannest regard for their sterling 
worth of character. Both are members in good 
standing of the Christian Church, in which the 
father has served as a Deacon, and taken an active 
part for many years. He was also prominent 
in local affairs while living on his farm in Burns 
Township, Henry County, serving as School Trus- 
tee, Road Commissioner, anil in other responsible 
positions. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, a 
man of decided views, fearless iii the expression of 
his sentiments, and earnest in the advocacy of what 
he believes is right. 

Our subject removed with his parents from the 
Keystone Slate to Illinois, where he was reared to 
manhood in Henry County, and assisted in the de- 
velopment of the farm. He acquired a common- 
school education, and when ready to establish a 
Inline and domestic tics of his own. was married J 
Jan. 12, 1876, to Miss Emma Wilson. This lady 



■► ■ «« 



~i 



274 



JOHNSON COUNTY 



was horn Sept. 28, 1856, in Henry County, 111., and 
is the daughter of Uri and Rebecca (Britton) 
Wilson, now residents of Cambridge, 111. Mrs. 
Eaton has proved in all respects the suitable com- 
panion and helpmate of her husband, encouraging 
him by her counsels and her industry, looking well 
to the ways of her household, and striving to make 
their home the pleasantest spot for them in the 
world. Thev have no children. 



1 ing 



^f)OHN F. MACY. The fine farm comprising 
the southwest quarter of section 36, Ster- 
ling Precinct, with its carefully cultivated 
i(^JI fields, its commodious buildings and other 
valuable improvements, is owned by the gentleman 
whose name appears at the head of this biographi- 
cal sketch. A view of the place may be seen in 
this Album. Although not among the very earliest 
settlers of this township, he is classed among its 
pioneers, as by developing his farm from the wild 
prairie he has materially aided its growth, and en- 
larged its agricultural interests. 

Mr. Macy was born in Woodford County, III., in 
1 850, to Jonathan and Elizabeth (Polk) Macy, na- 
tives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respect- 
ively. When the father of our subject was nine 
years old, his parents moved to the State of In- 
diana, and there he grew to manhood and married, 
and in 1846 he removed with his family to Illinois, 
where they lived many years. They finally came 
to Sterling with their son. of whom we write, and 
here rounded out useful and lengthy lives, the 
father dying Feb. 1 'J, 1 880, at the age of sixty-nine, 
and the mother June in. 1881, at the age of sev- 
enty-two years. They were respected members of 
the Christian Church, and their daily conduct was 
guided by its precepts; they fully deserved the 
high esteem in which they were held. They were 
the parents of six children, of whom our subject is 
the youngest, and four survive. Their son Isaac 
E., wlni lives in Dakota, did good service in the 
late war as a soldier in Company K. 3d Illinois 
Cavalry. At the end of two years' hard campaign- 
ing in the South, he was discharged on account of 



sickness, but he subsequently re-enlisted in the last 
100-days call, and served until the end of the 
war, thus winning an honorable record as a soldier. 

John F. Macy was reared in Illinois, and was 
married in bis native State, Jan. 5, 1876, to Miss 
Hannah J. Newell. In their pleasant home three 
children complete the household circle, namely: 
Clyde F., Bruce E. and C. Ray. 

In 1875 Mr. Macy wound up his affairs in Illinois, 
and came to the State of Nebraska to avail him- 
self of the many advantages of fertile soil, salu- 
brious climate, cheap land, and such agricultural 
facilities afforded by this favored part of the globe, 
to build up a better and more commodious home 
than he could otherwise hope to do. When he 
bought his present farm there were no improve- 
ments on it, save that sixty acres had been plowed. 
The great change that has since been brought about 
in the uncultivated prairie has been wrought pa- 
tiently by his own hands, the' result being one of 
the finest, best tilled, and best equipped farms for 
miles around. The buildings that he has erected 
are neat and ample, comprising a good dwelling, 
stable, corn-cribs, granaries, etc. He has a fine 
bearing orchard of about 150 trees of various choice 
varieties of fruit, which is already bringing him in 
money. 

Mr. Macy is a man whose strict probity of char- 
acter and upright life, guided by the highest prin- 
ciples, merit and receive the respect of all who 
know him. He and his excellent wife occupy a 
good position in the religious and social circles of 
this community, both being valued members of the 
Christian Church. Mr. Macy belongs to the K. of 
P., Sterling Lodge No. 31. Politically, he is a Re- 
publican. 

-^- ..o*o..^v > <vlG>)..<*o *«— - 



V Atoll .1. ZINSMASTER, a leading farmer 
and stock-raiser of Helena Precinct, has a 
good property on section 29, and has been 
uniformly prosperous in his operations as an 
agriculturist. A native of the Kingdom of Bava- 
ria, he was born Feb. 1. 181:!. and is the son of 
John and Barbara (llocb) Zinsmaster, who were of 




•*•- 



■•►HI-* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



275 



X SOC 
1^ 



pure German ancestry, and spent their last years in 
< rermany. 

The subject of tliis sketch received a good edu- 
cation in his native tongue, and when a lad of 
Seventeen years started for America, taking pas- 
sage on a sailing-vessel at the port of Bremen, 
bound for New York City, where lie was landed 
after an ocean voyage of forty-nine days. lie at 
once left the metropolis and made his way to Tus- 
carawas Comity. Ohio. For a period of four years 
lie employed himself there at whatever he could 
find to do among the farmers of that region. Later 
he rented a tract of land for about six years. In 
the meantime, with genuine German thrift and 
prudence, laying something by each year, he became 
finally the proud possessor of a farm of his own in 
Tuscarawas County. 

Mr. Zinsmaster continued a resident of the Buck- 
eye State until the summer of 1885, then disposing 
of his landed interests set his face toward the farther 
West, and settled with his family on his present 
farm in Helena Precinct. He had been married in 
Tuscarawas County. Ohio. Aug. 25, 1856, to Miss 
Maria Cutavern. who was horn Aug. 2">. 1836, and 
by whom he has become the father of nine children, 
who arc named as follow^: John, in St. Joseph 
County. Mich.; William, in Tuscarawas County. 
Ohio; Ellen, Mrs. L. Maines, in Helena Precinct, 
this county; Mary, who died in Ohio in infancy; 
George lives in Helena Precinct; Clara, the wife of 
George Geoman, of Helena Precinct; Charles F., 
Susanna L. and Cora M., at home with their parents. 

The farm of our subject comprises 240 acres of 
good land in-a highly cultivated condition, yielding 
in abundance the rich crops of this section of the 
country. Mr. X. has accumulated this property by 
bis own industry and perseverance, beginning in 
life without other resources than his strong hands 
and determined disposition. He was reared iii the 
doctrines Of the ( • en nan Lutheran ( liureh. of which 
he and his estimable wife are members, attending 
Ben ices at 1 lelena. Politically . Mr. Z. i> a st raighl 
Republican. While a resilient of Ohio he was a 
School Director in his district, and has ever dis- 
tinguished himself as an encourager of education, 

and all the enterprises tending to the elevation of 

society and the good of the community, morally 



and financially. The farm would at once attract 
the attention of the passing traveler for the air of 
thrift and prosperity which surrounds il, the sleek 
cattle and horses which are always associated with 
the thrifty German farmer, and the substantial 
buildings, yielding comfort alike to both man and 
beast. A view of the place is shown on another 
page. 



RLANDO M. HOLMES, a prominent and 
influential farmer of Todd Creek Precinct. 
s *^/' established himself within- its limits during 
the pioneer days, and is now in possession of a beau- 
tiful farm of 182 acres, occupying a portion of sec- 
tions 23, II. I and 11. He homesteaded this on 
the 26th Of February. I M<>7. two or three weeks 
after Nebraska had been admitted into the Union 
as a State. lie believed in its future then, and 
subsequent years have proved that he was wise in 
his faith. 

The neighbors of Mr. Holmes at the time of his 
first settlement in this county were few and far be- 
tween, but like himself, they were mostly men of 
resolution and perseverance. In common with 
them, he labored in the cultivation of his land, and 
in the endeavor to make his family comfortable. 
His first dwelling was a small house built of lum- 
ber, and embracing an area of fifteen square feet, 
the material for which was transported laboriously 
mostly from Aspinwall. with the exception of a 
small quantity which Mr. Holmes obtained from a 
sawmill near his Intnl. He continued breaking the 
sod and bringing the soil to a slate of cultivation, 
and in due time realized the reward of his labors. 
There grew up gradually around him the comforts 
and conveniences of the modern I le. In the fall 

of 1S77 the present fine large frame dwelling was 

completed, and into it the family removed from the 
humble building in which they first took shelter. 
This residence is now esteemed one of the best in 
the precinct. In its vicinity is an apple orchard , if 
500 trees, and the smaller fruits are enjoyed by tin- 
family in their season. Mr. Holmes planted eiffhl 
acres to forest trees, and his farm is enclosed mostly 

•► 



J 



27G 



i 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



with flourishing hedge fences, which addgreatly to 
the beauty of the landscape. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the town 
of Campton, Grafton Co., N. II.. on the 6th of 
March, 1* 12. and lived there with his parents until 
a youth of sixteen years. Then they all removed 
to Laconia, Belknap County, the same state, where 
our subject completed li is education in Guilford 
Academy. Afterward he taught school and farmed 
alternately, and in 1866, leaving New England, 
emigrated to -I" Daviess County, 111. 

Mr. Holmes, on the 2d of April. 1 86 7,. was united 
in marriage with Mi>s Jennie S. (ram. who was 
born in Sanbornton, X. II.. Aug. 21, 1841, and was 
educated in Guilford Academy. Sin- was there 
raared to womanhood, and in ls<!7 accompanied 
friends to Wisconsin. Of this union there have 
been no children. Her father. John Cram. was a 
New Hampshire farmer of good reputation, and 
died at the age of fifty-two years. The mother is 
living in New Hampshire; her maiden name was 
Louisa Batcheler, and she is a native of Little 
Boar's Head, N. II.. and is a grand-daughter of 
David Philbrook, one of the first settlers of New 
Hampshire. 

Mr. Holmes was the second man to hold the office 
of Postmaster in Todd Creek Precinct, being the 
sneeessor of II. I!. Strong. lie has always been 
prominent in local affairs, and has taken a warm 
interest in the welfare of the community around 
bim, serving as School Director and Supervisor, 
besides holding various other positions of trust and 
responsibility. Politically, he votes the straight 
Republican ticket. lie has been a man prompt to 
meet his obligations, and one who has built up for 
himself a good record as 'a conscientious and valu- 
able citizen. 

Joseph Holmes, the father of our subject, also a 
native of ( tampton, N. II.. -pent his entire life in his 
native State, dying at Plymouth, about 1881, when 
not far from sixty years of age. The wife and 
mother had died in 1858, when her son Orlando 
was a youth of sixteen years, leaving a family of 
eight children, six sons ami two daughters. Of 
these live are living, one in Iowa, one in MaSSachu- 
-. one in Nebraska, and two in New Hampshire. 

Samuel Holmes, the paternal grandfather of our 



subject, was horn in Connecticut, and moved to 
Campton, N. II. early in life. He was a pioneer of 
that place, and cleared a farm from the heavy tim- 
ber. The home and surrounding of Mr. Holmes 
are shown on another page. 

— *» < y4» ^~ 



Y^7 REDERICK BROADY. The subject of this 
rMs) sketch is a man of standing among the pros- 
1 perous farmers and stock-raisers of Lincoln 

Precinct, and comes of a nationality which has tilled 
no unimportant position in the development of the 
Great West, namely, its German element, noted all 
over the world for its steady and persistent indus- 
try, which almost invariably results in the accumu- 
lation of property, and a good position socially as 
well as financially. The subject of this sketch is 
pleasantry located on section lb where he has labored 
to good advantage since .May. 1870. 

Mr. Broadv was born in the city of St. Louis. Mo.. 
Aug. C>. 1843, and is the son of Henry and Katie 
Broadv. who were both natives of the Duchy 
of Holstein, Germany, whence they emigrated 
after their marriage, but several years previous 
to the birth of their son Frederick. He was their 
only child, and was deprived of his father by 
death when he wasabout one year old. The mother 
was subsequently married to Henry Frels. and they 
became the parents of seven children, six of whom 
are living, namely: Henry, a resident of Rock Isl- 
and County, III. ; William and George in Henry 
County, that State: Margaret, the wife of Marx 
Hauberg, of Rock Island County; Mary, who died 
when about forty-one years old ; and Ettie, the wife 
of Frederick Small, of Henry County, 111. 

Our subject made his home with his mother and 
stepfather until after the outbreak of the Civil War. 
they in the meantime having taken up their resi- 
dence in Rock Island County. 111. He then en- 
listed, Aug. 8, 1862, in Company K. 129tb Illinois 
Infantry, being first assigned to the command of 
Gen. Buell, later he was with Gen. Rosecrans, and 
finally under Gen. Sherman. He foughtin the bat- 
tles of Perryville, Stone River. Chickamauga. going 
also through the Atlanta campaign, and accom- 
panied Sherman on his famous march to the sea. 



**• 




*u* 






JOHNSON COUNTY. 



•J77 ! > 



Later be went up through the Carolinas to Wash- 
ington, being present at the grand review, and re- 
ceived h i^ discharge in Chicago, III., in .June, L865. 
In the meantime he had been promoted to Corporal, 

and had the satisfaction of feeling that he had done 
his whole duly as a soldier and a patriot. 

After leaving the army Mr. Broady returned to 
Hock Island County, 111., but six months later re- 
moved tn Henry County, where he farmed on a 
tract of nnted land until the spring of 1870. Then 
resolving to cast his lot with the pioneers of Ne- 
braska, he came to this 'county and purchased 120 
Meres of land in Lincoln Precinct at $5.25 per acre. 
Upon this he at once settled, and for a series of 
years labored early and late in the improvement of 
his property and the building up of a homestead. 
He has added to his possessions by degrees, having 
[GO acres of land in Nemaha County, and the whole 
280 acres has been brought to a good state of cul- 
tivation. The homestead proper is supplied with 
good buildings, and Mr. Broad}' has gathered to- 
gether those little com forts and conveniences which 
have so much influence in the happiness of a fain- 
ily. 

Our subject for the last twenty-two years has had 
for his companion and helpmate a very estimable 
lady, who in her girlhood was Miss Christina Ilau- 
berg, and to whom he was married in Rock Island 
County, HI.. Fell. 7, 1SG7. Mrs. Broady was born 
July l, 1847, in Holstein, Germany, and is the 
daughter of Marx and Dorthca (Blank) Hauberg, 
who were of pure German ancestry, and natives of 
the same Province as their daughter. They came 
to America in 1865, and for live years thereafter 
were residents of Rock Island County, III. They 
now reside in Lincoln Precinct Mrs. Broady came to 
Nebraska in 1870 with her husband, and has stood 
bravely by his side in their subsequent labors and 
sacrifices, and during their first years of struggle 
with the elements of .-i new soil was his most effi- 
cient helper and counselor. The}' are now the par- 
ents of seven children, one of whom, a sou. Charles, 
died in 1 873, an infant. The survivors are: Henry, 
who was born Aug. ■">. 1867 j John, Aug. 13, 1869; 
William. Oct. '.'7. 1871; Edward, July 18, 1875; 
Lewis, Feb. l'. 1H78, and Frank. April 8, 1880. 

There are few finer farms iu Lincoln Free 
4» 



than that comprising the Broady homestead, which 
is largely devoted to gtock-raisiug. Our subject 
commenced at the foot of the ladder, and has 
climbed up step by step until he occupies a position 
very near the top. and no man is more highly re- 
spected among his neighbors, tie is genial and 
courteous alike to friend and stranger, a man with 
whom it is most pleasurable and profitable to con- 
verse, as he is well informed and intelligent, and 
has kept his C3'es open to what was going on around 
him in the world. Politically, he votes the Demo- 
cratic ticket, and has served as School Treasurer in 
his district. Although not a member of any church 
organization, he gives his influence and support to 
religious institutions in addition to more substan- 
tial aid. Mrs. Broady was reared in the doctrines 
of the Lutheran Church, to which she still loyally 
adheres, attending regular services and being iden- 
tified with the society. 

pfliRAM II. SWART, editor and proprietor 
till of the Tecumseb Chieftain, is a man prom- 




inent among the business portion and the 
property holders of the community, having 
been more than ordinarily successful in the battle 
of life, and blessed with the happy faculty of sur- 
mounting most of its difficulties. He is the off- 
spring of a respectable old New York family, and 
the >on of Abraham Swart, who was a native of 
Kingston, that State, and born in 1808. 

The father of our subject acquired a good edu- 
cation, and upon reaching manhood changed his 
residence to Wayne County, Pa., where he engaged 
in mercantile pursuits for many years. He also be- 
came proprietor of a glass factory near Honesdale, 
and was County Clerk of Wayne County for a 
period of six years. County Treasurer, and the in- 
cumbent of tin- various scl 1 otlices. He was 

aKo prominently connected with the [. O. O. F., 
and belonged to the Universalist Church. He ac- 
cumulated a good property and spent his last days 
at Honesdale. his death taking place in February, 
]s."i7. The mother. Mrs. Lucinda (Arnold) Swart, 
was a native of Wayne County. Fa., ami the pa- 
rental household was completed by the birth of four 



278 



^lk~« 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




children, only three of whom lived to mature years, 
namely: Mary J., who married Rev. William M. 
DeLonar, of Binghamton, N. Y. ; our subject, and 
Rose C, who .is unmarried and makes her home at 
Oshkosh. Wis. The mother died at Honesdale in 
1857. She was born in 1808. at Dyberry, and 
lived there with her parents until her marriage. 

Jonathan Arnold, the maternal grandfather of our 
subject, was born in Connecticut about 1750, and 
carried on farming there until the outbreak of the 
Revolutionary War, when he enlisted in the army, 
and formed one of the bodyguard of Gen. Wash- 
ington, holding a Captain's commission. He was 
in the battle of Bunker Hill, and wintered with the 
Father of his Country during the famous encamp- 
ment at Valley Forge. He also participated in the 
battle of Long Island, and was in other engage- 
ments. After the independence of the Colonists 
had been established, he settled in Wayne Count}', 
Pa., where he was married, and became the father 
of a large family. There he carried on farming ex- 
tensively, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety 
years, his death taking place in 1 cS40. 

Abraham Swart, the father of our subject, was 
born in Kingston, N. Y., and the family trace their 
ancestry back to Holland. It is probable that the 
first representatives in this country crossed the 
ocean not long after the "Mayflower" made its 
memorable voyage, and subsequently their de- 
scendants were scattered all over New York State 
and the farther West. Abraham Swart became a 
man of wealth and importance, and was interested 
in many of the leading enterprises of his county. 
He carried on a large mercantile business at King- 
ston, and owned several vessels which plied the 
Hudson River. He married Miss S. A. Elting, the 
daughter of a prominent family, and they became 
the parents of three children. Grandfather Swart 
died in 1818, when about fifty years of age. His 
widow subsequently removed to Wisconsin, where 
her death took place at the age of eighty-seven. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Factory- 
ville, Pa., Aug. 31, 1838. His education was con- 
ducted in the public schools of Wayne County, and 
he began his business career in connection with 
a bank in New York City, where he was occupied 
for a period of thirteen years. Subsequently he 



engaged in merchandising at different points in the 
Empire State, until 1879. In the spring of that 
year he crossed the Mississippi, and coining to this 

county s i assumed proprietorship of the Tecum- 

seh Chieftain, of which he has since had control. 
He has greatly enlarged and improved the paper, 
and provided his office with the modern appliances 
for general job ami newspaper work. He has care- 
fully refrained from becoming an office-seeker, and 
meddles very little with politics, aside from casting 
his vote uniformly with the Republican party, and 
upholding its principles through the medium of his 
journal. The Chieftain has become one of the in- 
dispensable institutions of this section of Nebraska. 
Miss Catherine E. H olden, of Tecumseh, became 
the wife of our subject on the 19th of May, 1881, 
the wedding being celebrated at the home of the 
bride. Mrs. Swart was born in the city of Boston, 
Jan. 1,1850, and is the daughter of Richard and 
Caroline Holden, the former of whom died in 18(JG. 
She then took up her residence with her uncle, 
John II. Holden, of Tecumseh, where she resided 
until her marriage. Her mother also died when 
Mrs. Swart was very young. 




"* "£ , ; ' & ' ; ' l"" " 

IEDRICII KUHLMAN, one of the self- 
made men of Spring Creek Precinct, has 
been successfully engaged in farming and 
stock-raising at his present homestead, on 
which he settled in the pioneer days, securing Kid 
acres of land, and paying therefor $5 per acre. 
Upon if there had been no attempt at improve- 
ment, and he was forced to begin at first principles 
in the cultivation of the soil, putting np fences 
and buildings, and gradually adding those com- 
forts anil conveniences so essential to the happi- 
ness of a family. He. however, was blessed with 
good health, iron muscles and a courageous heart. 
and labored amid difficulties for a number of sea- 
sons, and then began to reap the reward of bis 
labors, lie is now numbered among the prosper- 
ous agriculturists of this community, and stands 
well among his neighbors. 

A native of the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, 
our subject was born Sept. 12, 1848, and is the 




^t-*. 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



27'J 



son of Diedrich, Sr., and Annie ('. (Preg) Kuhl- 
man, who were also of German birth :in<l ancestry. 
The parental family included eighl children, >i\ 
nt whom are living, namely: John, a resident of 
Auburn, this State; Diedrich, our subject; Mary, 
.Mrs. John Frerichs, also of Auburn; Catherine, 
Mrs. Henry Lahmeyer, of Jackson County, Iowa; 
and Adeline, the wife of Diedrich Kracke, of (lane 
County, this Stale. 

When a lad eight years of age our subject 
emigrated with his parents to America, taking 
passage on a sailing-vessel at the port of Bre- 
men, and after an ocean voyage Of ahout ten weeks 
landed in the city of New Orleans. Thence they 
proceeded directly north up the Mississippi to 
Iowa, and the parents located in Jackson County, 
among its pioneer settlers. The father secured a 
tract of land, and set himself industriously to work 
to build up a homestead and rear his family. The 
parents are still living upon the place where they 
Hrsl settled, ami now in their declining years are 
enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. They 
Lave made many friends during their long sojourn 

in the llawkeye State, and are members in g I 

Standing of the Lutheran Church. Diedrich Kuhl- 
man, Sr., was born in 1813, and his wife, Annie, 
two years later, in 1815. They are in possession 
of a good property. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
hood in Jackson County, Iowa, and assisted in the 
development of the new farm. He received a fair 
education both in German ami English, although 
bis advantages were far less than those extended 
the youth of to-day. He has. however, always 
been fond of reading, and thus keeps himself well 
posted upon matters of general interest. He re- 
mained with his parents in Iowa until the spring of 
1873, then came to Nemaha County, this State, and 
began operating on rented land. With true Ger- 
man thrift he saved a little each year, and at the 
end of the seventh year had capital sufficient to 
purchase his present farm. 

As soon as Mr. Kuhlman found that he could 
comfortably support a family, he took unto him- 
self a wife and helpmate, Miss Mary Gutzmer, to 

whom he was married, at her home in Nemaha 

County, March 19,18ft. Mrs. K. was born Feb. 



'■'•■ 1846, in Prussia, and is the daughter of John 
Frederick ami Marj (Brunkow) Gutzmer, who 
were of German thrift and ancestry, and emigrated 
to America at an early day. coming to Nebraska 
Territory in the fall of 1856. Thej are now re- 
siding in Nemaha County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman commenced their wedded 
life together in Nemaha County, this state, where 

they lived for a period of six years. Of their 
union there have been born four children: Ade- 
line. Feb.:;. 1875; John F., Aug. 15, 1876; Died- 
rich H.,Oct. 8, 1879, and Karl W. J., Aug. 2."), 
1882. Mr. K. has been quite prominent in local 
affairs, being a member of the School Hoard for 
tin' last live years, and serving tun terms as Chair- 
man. A native of an Empire believing in c - 

pulsory education, he has always been in favor of 
extending to the young those advantages which 
Should make of them honest anil useful citizens - 
Both he and his excellent wife Were trained in the 
doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which they 
still adhere, attending services in Nemaha County, 
ami giving liberally to the support of the society 
there. Our subject, politically, votes (he straight 
Democratic ticket. 



*3- 



*¥ 



:- 



fflOSlAII BRIGHAM. In the career of this 
substantial and well-to-do farmer and stock- 
raiser of Spring Creek Precinct, is presented 
that of a man who has been the architect of 
his own fortune, aided by asensible ami intelligent 
wife, anil they are now enjoying the comforts of a 
pleasant home, comprising a farm of ICO acres, 
with its necessary buildings, pleasantly located on 
section 35. In the building up of this estate there 
have been exercised great industry, economy and 

g 1 management, and the two who have labored 

for the mutual prosperity of themselves and their 
children are noted as among the most highly re- 
spected residents in the northeastern part of the 
county. 

A native of Allegany County, N. Y., our sub- 
ject was born Feb. 2, 1829, and is the son of Asa 
and Almira (Willard) Brigham, the father a native 
of Vermont and the mother of New York State. 




■► i r ^ 



^k-* 



•280 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



T 



Josiah was the second born in a family of six, 
four sons and two daughters, four of whom are 
surviving and of whom lie is now the eldest. His 
sister Lurinza is the wife of Elbridge Greene, of 
Boulder, Colo. ; Rosetta, Mrs. Washington Prather, 
of Iowa City, IowajBuell lives in Caldwell County, 
Mo. The parents spent their last years in Iowa, 
both dying in 1880, the mother January 27, and 
the father October 3. 

The parents of our subject left the Empire State 
when the latter was a mere boy, locating in Ashta- 
bula County, Ohio, where Josiah lived until a youth 
of nineteen years. Thence he made his way across 
the Mississippi into Johnson County, Iowa, settling 
in the spring of 1849 among its early pioneers. 
After a sojourn of seven years there he moved to 
Iowa County, and about two years later was married, 
Sept. 10, 1858, to Miss Mary W. Reniley. 

Mrs. Brigham was born in Montgomery County, 
Ala., Aug. 1'.), 1836, and is the daughter of John 
and Annie (Hoggshead) Remley, the former of 
whom, a native of West Virginia, was bom Feb. 7, 
1803. He is still living, making his home in Iowa 
County, and is remarkably hale and active for one 
of his advanced age. The mother, a native of Vir- 
ginia, departed this life at her home in Iowa in 
1886. The parental household included ten chil- 
dren, six of whom are living, namely: Calvin, a 
resident of Ottawa, Kan.; Eliza S., the wife of Ira 
Waldo, of Nebraska ; John W., of Arapahoe, Colo. ; 
Mrs. Brigham of our sketch; Elizabeth, the wife of 
Burton Hakes, of Iowa County, and Samuel II., of 
Humboldt, Kan. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Brigham there have been born 
eight children, six of whom are living, namely; 
Willie L. ; Mary E., the wife of William Barnes, of 
Arapahoe County, Colo.: Alice R., Mrs. Walter E. 
Smith, of the same; Carrie E., wife of James Busby, 
of Furnas County, this Slate; Annie E. and Elsie 
M., at home with their parents. From Iowa, in the 
fall of 1880. the Brigham family came to this 
county, and are now numbered among the most 
valued residents of Spring Creek Precinct. Mr. 
and Mrs. B. are members in good standing of the 
Baptist Church, attending services at Mt. Zton 
Church in Helena Precinct, where Mr. B. is a Trus- 
tee. He has been a member of the Republican 




party since its organization, and in Iowa was Town- 
ship Trustee a period of three years. He also 
served as a School Director in his district for a long 
period. Mrs. Brigham is a very capable and intel- 
ligent lady, hospitable and kind, and has contrib- 
uted her full share toward the. accumulation of 
their property, while looking well to the ways of 
her household and carefully training her children in 
those principles which have made of them honorable 
and respected members of society. 



1; RS. SARAH M. REED and her husband, the 
late Aimer ('. Reed, well known as a pio- 
neer business man of Sterling, were among 
the early settlers of the city, and our sub- 
ject is still residing here. She presides with a gra- 
cious hospitality ove. a comfortable, well-appointed 
home, anil she and her family occupy a high social 
position in the community. 

Mrs. Reed is a native of Delaware County, Ohio, 
and a daughter of Solomon I), and Susan (Brinker- 
hoff) Brownell, natives of New York. They were 
among the pioneers of Nebraska, coming to this 
State in Territorial days, in 1857, and they are still 
honored residents here, locating near Syracuse, 
where they have ever since made their home. 

Our subject passed her girlhood in her native 
State, attending school, and under the careful in- 
struction of a good mother becoming an adept in 
housewifery. She came with her parents to Ne- 
braska in the early days of its settlement, and con- 
sequently underwent all the experiences of a pioneer 
life in a sparsely settled, wild country, where few 
of the luxuries and conveniences of modern times 
were obtainable. She has thus witnessed almost 
the entire growth of Southeastern Nebraska, and is 
indeed a fine representative of the pioneer women 
of this State who aided and encouraged their 
fathers, brothers and husbands in developing the 
wonderful and varied resources of their new home, 
and evolving from the wild Territory a grand and 
glorious commonwealth. 

July 2. 1864, our subject left the parental roof 
for a home of her own. having on that day wedded 
Abner C. Reed, an honored pioneer of Nebraska. 



^/-* 



*-l^ 




JOHNSON COUNTY. 



281 



~t 



who was a merclianl of Wyoming. He wasa native 
of Ohio. Mr. Reed had been married twice previ- 
ous to his union with our subject. His first wife 

was .Miss Dolly Andrews, who bore him one son. 
Charles, she died June 28, 1855. The maiden 
name of his second. wife was Caroline Mcintosh, to 
whom lie was united April 2, 18,50. She died Sept. 
1-1, 1863, leaving three children: Ida L., now Mrs. 
Thomas Huberts; Rhoda A., now Mrs. Melvin 
Rice; and Harriet E., now Mrs. Mo'rman. 

In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Heed came to Sterling to 
make their future home. This was then but an 
insignificant hamlet, and Mr. Reed, as a practical, 
sagacious, shrewd man of business became an im- 
portant factor in its upbuilding. He immediately 
opened a Store for the sale of general merchandise, 
and in a few years had established a large trade, 
which he continued to manage very successfully 
until his death. That sad event, which occurred 
Sept. 1, 1885, was a heavy blow to the best inter- 
ests of the city, as he was a man whose sterling 
qualities inspired the confidence and esteem of 
everybody with whom he had dealings. His mar- 
riage with our subject had been blessed by the birth 
of two children : Flora, wife of . I. Hall Hitchcock, 
Judge of the Police Court, of Sterling, a sketch of 
whose life appears in this work; and Abner C, 
who lives with his mother, and is engaged in the 
restaurant business in Sterling. Mr. Reed was a 
prominent member of the A. F. & A. M., of Ster- 
ling, and his liberality and public spiritcdness were 
well known. 

W EROY OTIS takes a pardonable pride in the 
I (@ t:l(,t "' : ' 1 '"-' '* :| pioneer of Johnson County, 
/!=£*, and lias borne an honorable part in develop- 
ing its- immense agricultural resources. He has a 
via \ line farm in Center Precinct, which is equal to 
the best in this pari of the county in point of cul- 
tivation, neat and substantial farm buildings, and 
all that goes to make a model farm. 

Mi-, otis is a native of the great commonwealth 
of Ohio, the place of his birth being in Washington 
County, and the date of that important event in his 
life Dec. 21, L829. He there grew toa strong and 
«• 



vigorous manhood, ami when twenty-five years old 
turned his back on the scenes of his youth, and with 
the same pioneer spirit, probably, that induced some 
of his ancestors to settle in the primeval forest.- of 
Ohio, he sought the wilds of Iowa, purposing to 
pursue his chosen calling, that of agriculture, on its 
virgin soil. He located in Clarke County, that 
State, where he took up a tract of land, and was 
soon busily engaged in developinga farm. Put our 
subject did not, however, confine his attention 
strictly to farming, his thoughts also being intent 
on matrimony, as is proved by the fact that May '.'. 
1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret 
Brown, a young lady whom he had met in that 
, county, and whose housewifely accomplishments 
well fitted her to be his helpmate in the task of 
building up a home, and their pleasant wedded life 
has justified the wisdom of his choice of a life com- 
panion. The following is the record of their ten 
children, eight of whom are living: Minnie C. Y.. 
bom May 12. 1859; Leroy E. P.. born Dec. 17. 
1860, and died May 31, 1863; Lillie M.. bom Nov. 
21, 1862; dames II.. Aug. 2i), 1864; Elsie J., Nov. 
1. 1866; Dora .1.. Aug. 17. 1869; Carrol M., July 
If). 1871; Sadie 1'... Aug. 25, 187:'.; Frederic was 
born April 15, 1876, and died on the same date. 

In the fall of 1867 Mr. Otis disposed of his 
property in Iowa, including the farm that he had 
there improved, and again took up the lif e Of a 
pioneer, seeking "green fields and pastures new" in 
the then recently admitted State of Nebraska, ac- 
companied hither by his wife and children. lie 
located in .lohnson County on his present farm on 

section 18, Center Precinct, buying the I testead 

righl of a Mr. Prown who had previously Bled on 
it. It was then an open prairie, and only by per- 
sistent and energetic labor has it been brought to 
its present high stale of culture, and provided with 
the necessary farm buildings, among which may be 
mentioned a commodious frame house, a good stable, 
and ample granaries and corn cribs, i'he farm is 
neatly fenced, ami all in tillage, excepting that part 
which Mr. Otis devotes to pasturage, for he pays 
much attention to raising stock, which is a profit- 
able source of income to him. 

Poth our subject and his excellent wife enjoy the 
respect ami esteem of all who know them, as people 



* 



•<* 



282 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



r 



of honest integrity and uprighl conduct in the 
everyday affairs of life. The cares and burdens of 
thetoilsome years of their pioneer life render the 
cozy homo that they have I mill, up on these Ne- 
braska prairies doubly precious and comfortable to 
them as a shelter in their declining years. Mr. 
Otis is public-spirited, and readily seconds any 
scheme for the improvement of the precinct that he 
has helped to develop. He lakes an intelligent 
interest in the affairs of his country, especially in 
regard to polities, wherein his sympathies are 
strongly with the Republican party, in whose favor 
he Invariably easts his vote. 

Sw) OSEPH GLASSON. Among the successful 

farmers of Lincoln Precinct is the gentleman 
whose life's story is here briefly set forth. 
lie is of English birth ami parentage, and 
was horn in Cornwall, England, where his parents 
still reside, on the 24th of September, 1849. lie is 
the second son of James and Nannie Glasson, and 
was carefully brought 141 by them; until he was six- 
teen years of age he was kept at school and received 
.■1 good common-school education. After leaving 
school he gave his attention to farming, and con- 
tinued thus engaged for some time. He did not 
leave his native country until he reached man's 
estate and was at that time a fairly experienced 
and quite practical farmer and stock-raiser. This 
he has continued to make the chosen occupation of 
his life. 

The subject of our sketch came to this country 
in the summer of 1872, on board the Allen Line 
steamer ■•Peruvian." landing after some eleven days' 
passage on the 1st of August at the city of Quebec, 
Canada, whence he came direct to this State, engag- 
ing in business as a butcher at Tecumseh. continu- 
ing thus for about three months, when he started 
in business for himself. After almost three years 
and that of comparative success, he engaged in 
milling and cattle feeding. He helped erect the 
lirst steam mill in Tecumseh in 1876, and ran under 
the name of the Centennial Mill. The firm name was 
Hill, Graff & Classon. lie continued his connec- 
tion with the lirm until 1878, when he sold his 
«■ 



interest. This line mill was destroyed by lire in the 
summer of 1888; until which time it had been in 
constant operation. 

In the month of June, 1877. Mr. Classon took a 
vacation of three months in order to return to En- 
gland and visit the old home. Upon his return he 
settled upon his present farm, which comprises 560 
acres, situated on sections 18 and 19, and which is 
evidence of his ability and consequent success. He 
i> engaged chiefly in general farming, and has de- 
voted himself somewhat to stock-raising. 

The wedding of our subject and Nancy .1. Hays, 
of Nebraska, was observed on (he 24th of Septem- 
ber, 1878. There have been three children born 
to them: Emma S., deceased; William .1. and Charles. 
Loth Mr. and Mrs. Classon are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, taking the deepest 
interest in matters connected therewith. He is one 
of the Stewards of the congregation. Politically, he 
is a stanch Prohibitionist, taking an active pari 
with those like minded. In the summer of 1888, 
accompanied by his wife and children, our subject 
took passage on the steamship "City 6f New York." 
for England, landing at Liverpool on the 27th of 
August, visiting various points of interest and their 
old home, returning after about ten weeks, arriving 
at home on the 20th of October, after a most happy 
ami delightful trip. From these things it will be 
seen that our subject is one of the prosperous citi- 
zens of the precinct, and this is due mainly to his 
own effort and ability. The family is one of the most 
respected in the precinct, and their home is a repre- 
sentative one. 



**-B- 



2*- 



IW 0N - ALFRED A. CARMAN, ex-member of 
.V the Nebraska Legislature, has distinguished 
himself as one of the most useful and ener- 
getic men of Johnson County. He has been 
prominent in encouraging the establishment of 
schools, has taken a warm interest in political af- 
fairs, and has exerted a sensible influence upon the 
people around him, while at the same time indicat- 
ing himself as a public-spirited and liberal citizen, 
always willing to aid in the enterprises calculated 
for the best good of the people. He owns and oc- 



■<- 



•a* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



283 






cupies a good farm of 165 acres in Spring Creek 
Precinct, on section 30, where he has a well-regu- 
lated homestead ami is surrounded by all tin- com- 
forts of life. He at one time was the owner of ."> 17 
acres of land, the greater portion of which he has 
divided among his children. 

Tompkins County, N. Y., was the early tramping 
ground of our subject, and where lie was horn Feb. 
25, 1823. His parents, Israel and Charity (Cur- 
rev) Carman, were natives of the Empire State, and 
the father traced his ancestry to England, while the 
mother is supposed to have been of French descent. 
The first representative of the Carman family it is 
believed set foot on American soil in the seven- 
teenth century, and a number of them afterward 
participated in the struggle for American liberty. 
After this was over they settled in New England, 
whence they drifted to New York and other States 
further westward, and some of them participated, 
together with the Curreys, in the War of 1812. 

To Israel and Charity Carman there were born 
eight children, all of whom lived to mature years, 
and of whom the following named survive: Charles 
F., of Fremont County, Iowa; Edwin H., in Wash- 
ington Territory; Israel B., in Washington County, 
Kan., and Alfred A., our subject. The deceased 
were James, Lockwood and Emmor. In Decem- 
ber, 18:52. the parents with their children, leaving 
the Empire State, migrated to Sangamon County, 
111., where the father operated upon the new prairie 
soil until the March of 1810. He then changed his 
residence to Mason County, where he was among 
the earliest pioneers, and where his death took place 
in September, 1849. The widowed mother contin- 
ued to reside upon the homestead until 1868, then 
crossed the Mississippi ami took up her abode with 
her children in this county. Her death occurred at 
her home in Spring Creek Precinct, Jan. 1, 187 1. 
The elder Carman was a member in good standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, widely and fa- 
vorably known as a useful and upright citizen, and 
successful in his operations as a farmer, leaving to 
his family a comfortable estate. Politically, in 
early manhood he was a member of the old Whig 
party, and remained such all his life. 

Our subject emigrated with his parents from his 
native State to Illinois in 1832, where he received 



limited school advantages, but being fond of read- 
ingand study availed himself of every opportunity 
to acquire useful information, lb- remembers dis- 
tinctly many of the incidents of pioneer life in the 
Prairie State, and lived there with his parents until 
his marriage. The most important event in his ca- 
reer occurred Oct. 5, 1843, the maiden of his choice 
being Miss Elizabeth Wheelock. This lady was 
born in Seneca County, N. Y., June '.I, 1 82 I. and by 
her union with our subject became the mother of 
five children, two only of whom are living and 
both sons, Israel and Enoch, who are residents of 
this county. The other children died at a lender 
age. Mrs. Elizabeth Carman departed this life at 
her home in Mason County, III., April 28. 1853. 

Mr. Carman in the fall of 1856 contracted a 
second matrimonial alliance, with Miss Margaret 
Cooper, a native of Scotland, who bore him one 
child, and who only survived her marriage little 
over a year, her death taking place Sept. 9, 1857. 
Our subject was married a third time in March, 
1 858, to Miss Euphemia Campbell, who bore him 
one daughter, and died July 29, 1860. The child 
is likewise deceased. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married Feb. 25, 1862, was in her girlhood Miss 
Nancy Needhani, who was born in England, Oct. 
1G. 1836. This lady is the daughter of Joseph and 
Machel (Howarth) Need ham, and the sister of Mrs. 
J. C. Campbell of this precinct, a sketch of whom 
appears elsewhere in this volume. When a child of 
three years her parents emigrated to America and 
settled in Jacksonville, 111., where they resided for 
a period of about twelve years. Thence they re- 
moved to the farm in Cass County, that State, 
where the death of the mother took place in Sep- 
tember, 1877. The father is still living at the old 
homestead in Cass County, ami has now attained 
the advanced age of eighty-five years, lie makes 
his home with his youngest son. and as the result 
of a well-spent life is surrounded by all needful 
comforts, including hosts of friends. 

To the parents of Mrs. Carman there were born 
ten children, of whom it is supposed seven are liv- 
ing. The eldest son, William, is a resident of 
Atchison County, Kan. ; of Elizabeth, Mis. (amp- 
bell, mention has already been made; Hannah is the 




Jc 



«•- 



2S4 



-•*■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4 



wife of Thomas McAllister, of Morgan County, 
111. ; Nancy, Mrs. C, was the next in order of birth ; 
Mary is the wife of .lames Mill, of Tecumseh, Neb. ; 
Maria, Mrs. William Davidson, resides in Dickin- 
son County, Kan., and Joseph is in Cass County, 
111. James and Sarah died when about twenty- 
three and nineteen years old, and of John it is not 
known whether he is living or not. 

To Hon. Alfred A. and Nancy Carman there 
have been born three children: James and William, 
who are farming for themselves in this county, and 
Maria, at home with her parents. Our subject left 
Illinois in the fall of 1865, his destination being the 
Territory of Nebraska, and made the journey hither 
equipped with four span of horses and three wag- 
ons, one team being held in reserve against times 
of need. He brought with him his family, consist- 
ing of his wife and three children, his farming 
utensils and his household goods, and riding into 
the county with these evidences of thrift and en- 
terprise, it is hardly necessary to say was joyfully 
welcomed by the people. The journey consumed 
sixteen days, and they camped wherever night over- 
took them, cooking by the wayside and sleeping in 
their wagons. They settled upon the land which 
they now occupy, and which Mr. Carman secured by 
a homestead claim on the 14th of August of that 
vear on a previous visit to this section. Their first 
dwelling was a dug-out house erected by himself 
for the reception of the family, and the first busi- 
ness of Mr. C. was to prepare for winter and make 
those dear to him as comfortable as possible. Their 
neighbors were few and far bet ween, and they will 
never forget their experience of that first winter in 
Nebraska, out of which, however, they came with 
flying colors and prepared to battle with the soil as 
spring approached. 

Our subject, in common with the people around 
him. labored early and late in the development of 
the farm and gradually added to his estate until his 
xms were grown. He now sees them comfortably 
settled about him, and in looking upon the past and 
his early struggles has little reason to complain of 
the manner in which he has been rewarded for his 
toil. Mr. Carman, politically, is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and has been a member of the School Board 
in his district for a period of twenty years. His 



<* 



course has been uniformly that of a man interested 
in the welfare of the people about him, and after 
filling many other positions of trust and responsi- 
bility he was chosen by his party in this county to 
represent them in the Lower House of the Ne- 
braska Legislature, serving from the fall of 1880 un- 
til 1882, with credit to himself and satisfaction to all 
concerned. 



^p^EORGE W. HARMON, a retired farmer, 
III g— . stock dealer and feeder, resides in a line 
^\^4J residence on Third street, Tecumseh. In 
addition to this he is the owner of other valuable 
city property, and of a splendid farm of 480 acres 
near the city, all of which is under fence, and well 
improved, with good buildings. Our subject is the 
son of Nathan Harmon, who was a native of Knox 
County, Tenn., and a gunsmith by trade. He mar- 
ried Miss Rebecca Myers, of Greene County, Tenn., 
and the couple had seven children, of whom five 
grew to maturity. Nathan Harmon died about the 
year 1837, aged about forty-five. His widow sur- 
vived him many years, dying in 1875. in Missouri, 
where she was then living with her son George W., 
our subject. The latter was born in Monroe 
County, Tenn., on the 4th of April, 1818. He 
attended school onby two days; while yet a boy he 
began to learn the gunsmith trade under the in- 
struction of his father. In 1827 the family re- 
moved to Bond County, III., and were among the 
earliest settlers there. The business grew to be 
quite extensive, as at that time almost eveiyone 
kept one or more guns in constant use. They did 
quite as much for the Indians as for the settlers. 
From a history of Holt am! Atchison Counties, 
Mo., published in 1882, we make the following ex- 
tracts relative to our subject's life in that State: 

"On the 19th of October, 1840, Mr. Harmon re- 
moved to Missouri, and settled upon the land 
which now comprises his beautiful farm, upon which 
he lived' for many years, and which he yet owns. 
He, like his only neighbor of early days in Atchison 
County, Mr. Millsape, brought his young wife with 
him to the frontier, and his daughter Rebecca, now 
Mrs. Benson Bailey, of Brownville, was the sec- 

■ » 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



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285 



4 



ond child bom in Atchison County, the son of 
Mr. Millsape being the first. Mr. Harmon built a 
log cabin and also a log workshop, where he worked 
for the Indians and settlers of the surrounding 
country for a long period, doing all their gun work 
and blacksmithing, they in return doing all his 
plowing and otherwise improving his land. The 
nearest mill was at Council Bluffs, sixty miles away, 
the trip to and fro under most favorable circum- 
stances taking eight days. Previous to using the 
mill they had for two years made their hominy by 
pounding corn in a mortar. He then purchased 
a large coffee mill, and attached it to a tree, and 
from that time it was in constant use. Among the 
pioneer experiences of Mr. Harmon that came about 
by simple circumstances, it is related by that 
gentleman that for seven years he was obliged to 
wear one pair of pants, and so often were they 
patched that the original cloth could not be dis- 
tinguished, and so greased and stiffened had they 
become that they would stand alone. About that 
time he got some deerskin of the Indians, and 
made a suit, and moccasins and a cap of coonskin. 
By reason of this cap and suit he was known for 
many miles around. 

"Among the first adventures of our subject was 
the purchasing of beeves for the Quartermaster of 
the United States Army, stantioned at a fort where 
Nebraska City now stands, and, in a purchase 
amounting to x.'SoO, he cleared for his services 
$200. This is where his life work commenced, and 
pointed out to him a road to success. Since that 
time cattle dealing and feeding have been his chosen 
calling. He has fed from 2,000 to 5,000 head 
annually, and is among the most practical, pro- 
gressive and prosperous of any similarly engaged. 
His farm in Missouri was among the most pro- 
ductive and best arranged for such purposes, while 
lie has also erected a very line brick residence, the 
third that was put up in the county. All his im- 
provements are after a generous plan, both as re- 
gards design, utility and convenience. 

"In 1870, with his two sons-in-law, Messrs. Mc- 
Gee and Bailey, of Brownville, the subject of our 
sketch bought the ferry-boat 'Mary J. Arnold,' 
and for nine years continued to run it in connec- 
tion with the transfer and bus line from Brown- 

*• 



ville to Phelps City. In 1880 Mr. II. bought out 
his partners in the business, and for one month 

everything went on as before; but at that lime the 
boat was snagged, and he lost sT.ooo. His former. 
partners again took hold, and tilled up a temporary 
llathoat. which was used until the present line struc- 
ture was finished. Since that time the business has 
been conducted by the three partners as before. 

"In 1881 Mr. Harmon rented his farm and 
moved to Tecumseh, Neb., not far from which he 
owned and improved a farm of 480 acres. There 
he built a large and commodious dwelling, and is 
having his farm improved on a very extensive 
scale, intending it for his only son, George Benson. 
He has also purchased one of the finest lots to be 
had in Tecumseh, and erected thereon a residence 
that will compare favorably with any in the city. 

" Mr. Harmon has been twice married. First to 
Sarah Roberts, of Montgomery County, III., in 
August of 1837. This lady died in the year 1847, 
leaving four children, viz.: Betsey Ann, Martha; 
Rebecca, now Mrs. Bailey, and Mary Angeline, 
now Mrs. J. L. McGee. In the month of August, 
is is, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Hughes, 
who has presented him with two children, Sarah 
and George Benson. The first Fourth of July cele- 
bration in Atchison County was held at the foot of 
the bluffs near Mr. Millsape's, our subject and that 
gentleman being the chief persons in the com- 
munity. This occurred in 1841. Corn bread baked in 
a 'p° ne ' an 'l w " ( ' honey formed the menu for this 
distinguished gathering. Every person in the 
county, and some from beyond the border, besides 
a large number of Indians, were present. Mr. 
Harmon was the orator of the day, and also Chief 
Marshal, and he has always continued to occupy a 
prominent place in the community. 

"In the Masonic fraternity the subject of our 
sketch is well known as a true and faithful member 
of the order. He is a supporter, in political mat- 
ters, of the Republican party, and for many years 
has been a friend to the Christian Church, and an 
ardent member and worker therein. There arc not 
many who have lived in this county who have nol 
at some time or other heard with pleasure from the 
lips of our subject interesting recitals of memories 
of other days, which, if it were possible to give 



^4U. 



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286 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




them in this sketch, it would take the form of a 
ponderous volume in itself, His reputation among 
all who know him as regards honesty, enterprise, 
character, and in fact everything that goes to make 
the true man, is beyond all question." 

Since becoming a' resident of Tecumseh Mr. Har- 
mon has been a prominent figure in its public life. 
He has been a member of the City Council, elected 
by the Prohibition element, and in other ways has 
identified himself with the community in which he 
has made his permanent home. In his domestic 
illations he is happy. His present wife, who was 
Miss Mary Ann Hughes, was born in Adams 
County, Ohio, July 1, 1829, and lived there until 
she was twenty years old, when she went with her 
parents to Missouri, where she became acquainted 
with and married our subject. Her father, John 
Hughes, was a farmer, and in Ohio was married to 
Sarah Beard, and they became parents of ten chil- 
dren, who lived to years of maturity. The father 
entered the Union Army on the outbreak of the 
Rebellion, and died in 1861, leaving his widow and 
eight small children. She proved equal to the task, 
and reared and kept her family together until they 
secured homes of their own. 

Of Mr. Harmon's children his son, George Ben- 
sou, was married, in 1886, to Miss Minnie Schloes- 
ser, of Tecumseh, has one child, Benjamin P., and 
is now living on his father's farm near the city. 
Mary A. is the wife of .James McGee, and they 
have three children — Minnie C, James L. and 
Dwight II. Sarah is wedded to William L. Thomp- 
son, lives in Tecumseh, and has one child, E. Mur- 
ray. 

Mr. Harmon, since taking up his residence in 
Johnson County, has become well known to its 
citizens as a public-spirited, upright and trustworthy 
man, who is a valued acquisition to its society. 

.„ LEXANDER MARKS. Among the early 
tillers of the soil of Spring Creek Pre- 
cinct came the subject of this sketch, lo- 
cating in the fall of lK6fi on 160 acres 
of land, which he secured by a homestead claim, 
and of which lie is still the owner, although he has 



added largely to its area, being now the possessor 
of 430 broad acres. Nebraska was still a Territory, 
and the land upon which Mr. Marrs settled was in 
its primitive condition, not a furrow having been 
turned, and there being upon it neither fences nor 
buildings. He realized in a measure the task be- 
fore him, but set about it with his characteristic 
energy, laboring early and late for a series of years, 
and finally beginning to realize the reward of his 
toil. He is now a man of wealth and standing iu 
a community of intelligent people, and among 
whom he was one of the first settlers of this region. 

Mr. Mans was born west of the Mississippi, in 
Newton County. Mo., April 17. 1840, and is the 
son of Hugh and Maria (Rice) Marrs, who were 
natives of Tennessee. The family is supposed to 
be of German ancestry. The parental household 
of our subject included six children, all of whom 
grew to mature years, and three of whom are still 
living, namely: Kn.eline, the wife of R. K. Ford. 
of Newton County, Mo.; Alexander, of this sketch, 
and Larkin II.. who continues also a resident 
of Missouri. The father died when Alexander 
was a boy about three years of age, but the mother, 
surviving her husband a period of over forty years, 
lived until Dec. 6, 188."). remaining a widow, and 
continuing to reside on the old homestead. 

Mr. Man's was reared to manhood in his native 
county, receiving a limited education, but becom- 
ing thoroughly familiar with the various employ- 
ments of Hie farm, which training was valuable to 
him in his struggle upon the soil of Nebraska. As 
soon as old enough he became the assistant of his 
mother in the management of the farm and the care 
of the family, and remained under the home roof 
until his marriage. This important event in his 
life took place Feb. 10. I860, the maiden of his 
choice being Miss Susan Rice, a native of Tennes- 
see, and the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth 
(Cams) Rice, who are now residents of Newton 
Comity. Mo. 

Mr. and Mrs. Maris began their wedded life in 
Missouri, where they lived until the fall of 1864, 
and then, owing to the strong I'nion sentiments of 
Mr. Marrs which he openly expressed in a com- 
munity made up largely of the rebel element, he 
was virtually obliged to leave his native State. 



T 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



^h-* 



28* 



Having a family on his hands he considered that 
they demanded his lir>t duty, although he enlisted 
in the fall of 1861 in the Union service, and went 
into camp with liis regiment at Springfield, Mo. 
The Colonel, however, released him, with several 
others, and he was enabled t<> return to liis home 
and his family without seeing any active service. 

Mr; Mans upon leaving .Missouri took up liis 
abode in Davis County, Iowa, whence he removed 
a year later to this county, lie came here without 
means, with two families to look after. hlSOWn and 
that of his wife, and thus had even more difficul- 
ties to contend with than the ordinary pioneer. He 
has. however, surmounted them all. and it would 
seem has been amply repaid for the toils and strug- 
gles of his earlier manhood. He is a man of 
standing in his community, liberal and public- 
spirited, giving his encouragement to the establish- 
ment and maintenance of schools, and upholding 
all other enterprises calculated for the elevation of 
the people. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, 
and no man rejoiced more heartily at the success 
of the Union arms during the trying times of over 
twenty years ago. Mr. M. identified himself witli 
the Masonic fraternity in about 1*72. and he be- 
longs to the lodge at Talmage, in Otoe County. 

To Mr. ami Mrs. Marrs there were horn two 
children only; William. Dec. I I. 1870, and Mar- 
garet, June 17. 1«7 1. Both are living at 1 ie. 



•>*♦:• 



If 



EANDER P. MAV1TY. Among the wor- 
p thy and esteemed citizens of Lincoln Pre- 
Jt. cinct, favorably known throughout the dis- 
trict as a man and fanner, is the subject of our 
sketch, who resides on section 1, township 5 north, 
range 11 east, where his property, well situated and 
admirably cultivated, comprising eighty acres, is lo- 
cated. He is a native of Clay County, Ind., was 
born on the 22d of January, L836, and is the son 
of John and Martha Mavitv. His parents were 
born and brought up in the State- of Tennes- 
see and Kentucky respectively. After their mar- 
riage they settled in Clay County, Ind. They were 
the parents of nine children, of whom the follow- 
ing are now living: Leonard I., of Spring Creek 



f 



Precinct; Joseph A., of the same precinct; Caroline, 
wife of David Miller, of Bureau County, 111.; Mar- 
tha, now Mrs. George Show, of Chicago. 111. The 
deceased are: Wesley, Marcus, Maria, and it is sup- 
posed, also James, he having gone West after the 
close of the war with a Government train, and not 
been heard from but once and that about two years 
after he left. 

The parents of our subject were early pioneers of 
Bureau County, III. There the mother died in 
the year 1850, aged about forty-five. His father is 
still upon his farm. Our subject was born after 
the home in that county was established. His edu- 
cation was obtained in its district school and pro- 
vided him with sufficient foundation for subsequent 
efforts. From his youth lie was accustomed to pio- 
neer farm life and was admirably fitted to continue 
the row of pioneers in other new territory — such as 
that to which they afterward removed. 

In answer to the call for soldiers to defend the 
stars and stripes, our subject enlisted in Company 
B, 57th Illinois Infantry, in the month of Septem- 
ber, 1861. This became partof the army under the 
gallant Sherman. They were present and did good 
service at the seige of Ft. Donelson, the battles of 
Shiloh, Corinth. Resaea, Altoona Pass, siege of Sa- 
vannah, P.entonville and numerous others. While 
in the ranks he evidenced the fact that there was that 
in him that made him a good soldier, brave, fear- 
less, indomitable and yet conscientious. He received 
an honorable discharge on the 7th of July. 1865, at 
Louisville, Ky., after which he returned home. 

Illinois continued to be the residence of the sub- 
ject of our sketch until the year L870, when lie re- 

veil to Dallas County, Iowa, and there continued 

farming until he came to Johnson County, Neb., 
in December of 1881, settling upon his present 
farm. The property is chiefly utilized for the pur- 
pose of genera] farming although he raises some 
stock, chiefly cattle, horse- and -wine. 

On the 10th of April. 1866, the hands of our 
subject and Liny A. Fox were joined in marriage. 
This estimable lady is a native of Brown County, 
Ohio, and the daughter of Hezekiah and Roxalany 
Fox. Both parents are now deceased. H er par- 
ents removed to Bureau Comity. III., when she was 
sixteen years of age, and it remained their home 

■► 



T 



JL 



288 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




-•* 



until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Mavity are the 
parents of two children: William E., born Dec. 10, 
1867, and an infant deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mavity are members in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and there 
and in the community at large are justly held in high 
regard. Politically, our subject is Democratic and 
votes the straight ticket, excepting in local matters. 
There he always supports the candidate whom his 
judgment leads him to believe will most truly serve 
the people. The character, honor and integrity of 
Mr. Mavity are beyond question. 



WILEY SANDUSKY, one of the capable far- 
mers of Center Precinct, this county, was 
born on the 20th of May, 1830, in the 
State of Kentucky. In November of the same year 
his parents, Jacob and Melinda (Mayes) Sandusky, 
removed to Morgan County, 111., where his father 
took land and continued working the same for 
about eighteen years, when once more they made 
a change, removing to Greene County, where they 
made their home until the 18th of June, 1868, when 
they came to this county, and located about three 
miU^ northwest of Tecumseh. Here the father died 
on the 21st of October, 1884, at the advanced age 
of eight}' yeans; the mother died on the loth of 
January, 1887, aged eighty-one years. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest child of 
seven born to the above, all of them living and 
married, three members of the family being in this 
county. The father entered 160 acres when he first 
located, and subsequently was enabled to purchase 
an equal number adjoining. This he improved 
and brought to a high state of cultivation. The 
home farm is still in the hands of our subject, his 
brother Alexander and Nancy McNeil, who had 
arranged it so that it could be a home for the 
mother after the death of the father. 

The farm of our subject is situated upon section 
15, and comprises 160 acres. This he has entered 
and owned from the year L 865. A great deal of 
time and intelligent effort have been expended as 
only a thoroughly practical farmer knows how, and 
he has made a fine place of it. His house and farm 



buildings are good and well kept. As for the farm 
proper, it is carefully cultivated, and is very fertile 
and productive. The house that stood on the same 
site prior to the erection of the present building 
eight years ago, was a good, comfortable farmhouse, 
but was destroyed by fire. 

The marriage of our subject was arranged for, 
anil was celebrated on the 6th of November, 1851, 
the lady of his selection being Miss Sarah A. Shaw, 
of (ireene County, 111., but she was not spared to 
him long. After a short illness she departed this 
life on the loth of March, 1 SoG, leaving one child, 
Thomas A. On the 14th of April, 185'J, our sub- 
ject again stood before the altar, and was then united 
with Mary M. Nettles. They became the parents 
of thirteen children, ten of whom are living. Their 
names areas follows: Sarah, George, William, Alex- 
ander, Wiley, Calvin and Charles (twins), Mar- 
garet, Lidia and Ethel. The deceased members of 
the family are Jacob, Nancy and Benjamin. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sandusky were members in good 
standing of the Missionary Baptist Church in Illi- 
nois, but have not united themselves with any 
church organization in this place, seeing there is no 
congregation of that bod}' here. Our subject is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and hails from 
Manchester Lodge, in Manchester, III. He has been 
called upon to fill some offices, but has only filled 
that of Assessor of the township, which he held for 
two terms. His political proclivities were with the 
Democratic party until about five years ago, since 
which time he has identified himself with the Union 
Labor party, and votes its ticket. He is a man who 
is respected iir the community, and whose word is 
esteemed as that of an honorable and true man and 
citizen. 



jrpyJiANK ROT1IKLL, the Assistant Cashier of 
the bank at Crab Orchard, although one of 
the young men of the town has won for 
himself a place in the community that is most com- 
plimentary. This gentleman was born in Mahaska 
Count)', Iowa, near Oskaloosa, on the 8th of Sep- 
tember, 1864. He is the son of Charles G. Kothell, 
of Maple Grove Precinct, this county, who bought 
a farm in this county in the spring of 187t). 




^Hh* 



•►Hl^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



•291 



The subject Of our sketch received a good En- 
glish education in the common schools, which was 
afterward supplemented by a course of instruction 

at Peru, Neh., in the State Normal School, lie 
came to Crab Orchard in the fall of 1885, and has 
been connected with the bank ever since that time. 
1'pon leaving school he learned the trade of a 
miller, and continued to follow the same for about 
five y:\ars. but conceiving a desire for some more 
professional occupation made the change as above 
related. 

The musical tastes and talents of our subject arc 
beyond question, and have led to the organi- 
zation of the •• Crab Orchard Cornet Hand," which 
was effected on the 18th of May, 1857, since which 
time Mr. Rothell has been both its leader and man- 
ager. The band possesses the finest set of instru- 
ments in the State. They were supplied by the 
noted C. G. Con, of Elkhart, Ind., and cost about 
jwOi). The repertoire of the band is very complete, 
and their rendition of the pieces is such as is sup- 
plied by enthusiastic musicians, who have been 
trained by a careful and thoroughly competent mas- 
ter in the art. The band has quite a reputation for 
first-class music, and is in great demand at the 
various gatherings where such a band is a desider- 
atum. 

Mr. Rothell is a member of Lodge No. 73, of the 
K. of P., at Tecumseh, and is a member of the Uni- 
formed Hank. He is very popular among the mem- 
bers of the order, anil takes a prominent part in the 
social gatherings thereof. He is a young man of 
splendid parts, fine character and excellent dispo- 
sition. It is not too much to say that the future 
extends to him a prospect unusually bright, and 
that he is capable of much good, nut only in his 
own interest, but also that of his fellow-citizens. 

IOMAS .1. EDWARDS, a prominent and 
'(ShY P ros P erous farmer of Sterling Precinct, 
is a man whose practical ability, prompt and 
methodical business habits, and unswerving integ- 
rity, justify the confidence and esteem with which 
he lias inspired his fellow-citizens, lb' i> a South- 
erner by birth ami education. Kentucky being his 




native State ami Alabama the State in which he 
was reared. He was bom Aug. 11. 1826, in Mont- 
gomery County. Ky.. to Robert and Susan (Wil- 

lOUghby) Edwards. His mother died when he was 
young, and when he was about eight years old. 
a few months after the death of his mot her. his un- 
cle. Isaiah Thatcher, took him to his home in Ala- 
bama, and under his care our subject grew to a 
vigorous and manly manhood. He subsequently 
went to Randolph County. Mo., and from there 
went to the Rocky Mountains. Afterward he re- 
traced his steps across the plains of the "Great 
American Desert." as this part of the country was 

then called, and once l v located in Missouri, 

choosing Platte County as the site of his home, 
but he afterward moved to Delvalb County, in the 
same State, and there the breaking out of the Civil 
War found him in prosperous circumstances. A 
Southerner in birth and sentiments, and a slave- 
holder, he did not hesitate on the course to pursue, 
but soon cast in his lot with his friends and where his 
interests lay. and in May. 1861, was enrolled in the 
Confederate Arm\ as a member of Company I. I si 
Missouri State Guards, under Gen. William Y. 
Slack, in .1. T. Hughes' regiment, lie remained 
with that regimentsix months, and was then trans- 
ferred to Pritchard's detached corps, ill which he 
did efficient and faithful service for three years 
and fourteen days, his bravery and fortitude Stand- 
ing the test of many a hotly waged battle. 

After the war Mr. Edwards began life anew in 
Hannibal, Mo., where with characteristic energy 

he at once set about retrieving his fallen fortunes. 
Ill 1870 he concluded to lr\ agriculture On the fer- 
tile productive soil of Nebraska, and selecting 
Otoe County as a suitable place for location, he 
was soon established there. In 1876 he sold oul 
there and came to Johnson County, and purchased 

the place where he now lives. This is a very pleas- 
ant situation on section •'!. township 6, range 9, and 
ill point of cultivation, neat and well-arranged 
buildings, fences, and many other improvements, 
Compares favorably with other farms ill the neigh- 
borhood. 

To the amiable wile, who has >o cheerfully 

helped him in the upbuilding of this comfortable 

home. Mr. Edwards was united in marriage in 

•>- 



=L. 



292 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




is 17. Her maiden name was Eliza Janes, and her 
place of birth was Zanesville, Ohio. She is the 
daughter of Bartlett and Susanah (Holmes) Janes. 
Tin' family consisted of fifteen children, seven hoys 
and eight girls, nine of whom lived to maturity. 
The following children have been born to our sub- 
jecl andhiswife: Aurelia .1. isthewido« of John J. 
Jones, and she has one daughter, named Eliza; Su- 
san I-'..: John II.: Eliza S., who Is the wife <>f 
George Strong, of this county : James K\. who was 
Uilled March 27, 1882, bj a well caving in mi him; 
Elijah W., who died in 1881; Luella, who 'li<''l in 
1880; Josephine, Benjamin F., George B. and San- 
ford M. The two latter ilii'il when quite young. 
Mr. Edwards is a man of frank and genial man- 
ners, is cool of head, strong of will, and steady <>f 
purpose, possessing decided opinions on nil sub- 
jects that come under his notice. As an instance 
hi" this wo may cite the fact thai he is a firm advo- 
cate of temperance, and when lie became convinced 
thai prohibition was the besl remedy for thecxist- 
inj; e\ ils of intemperance he allied himself with the 
Prohibition party, and is a firm supporter of its 
principles, although, prior to 1884, lie had always 
been identified with the Democrats. In manly vin- 
dication of his course he says, "I would rather be 
beaten in a good cause than succeed ina bad one." 

f\A ARCUS CHAMBERLIN i- .«n.- ..f ih,> i>r..s- 
1 ncrous. progressive pioneers of Johnson 
County, and as such he has done whal Im\ 
in his power to help on to it* present con- 
dition thf county al large .-is well as that particular 
portion where ho happens to reside. lie is the son 
of Manser and l.m-\ (Braughton) Chamberlin, and 
was born on the ■' ; i > i <>i January, 1823, in Ridge- 
Imrj Township, Bradford Co., I'm. 

The parents of our subject were born in Vermont 
His paternal ancestors were English, and came to 
this country in the days of the Colonists, settling 
in N'i'v\ England. Two great-uncles of our subject 
were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, and fell 
during the struggle. They participated in the bat- 
tle of Bunker Hill and mam memorable struggles 



for liberty. To the parents of our subject were 
born six children, of whom the following are 
known to survive: Marcus; Lucius, of Elk Point, 
I »ak.; Orville, in Bradford County, I'm.; Ormond, in 
DeKalb County. 111.: besides which there were two, 
N:mc\ miuI Julia, who Mil- deceased, Mini a -on. 
Binaldo, of whom it i- not known fur certain 
whetherheyel lives or not. The grandmother of 
oursubject was a sister of Gen. Warrenof Revolu- 
tionary War fame. 

The subject of our sketch was reared to manhood 
in his native county, and in the schools of the 
same obtained a good education, notwithstanding 
the fact that early in life he engaged in sawmilling 
and farming. He was married in Pennsylvania on 
the 15th of August, 1846, the hvty of his choice be- 
ing Sally Parker, the estimable daughter of Joseph 
and Rebecca (Cummins) Parker. She was horn 
in Bradford County, Pa., on the l8thof November, 
1829. Her father is uon deceased, and the mother 
resides in Tioga County, I'm., and is over eighty 
years of age. The Parker family i- one of the old 
New England families of ante-bellum days, Mini has 
been identified with American citizenship from the 
first. 

To Mr. Mini Mr-. Chamberlin there have been 
born nine children, whom we mention as follows: 
Lucius M.. now in Toeuniseh: I. my. the w ife of M. 

t . ( o\ al, of Webster County . Neb.; Geliila; Mark, 
who is in Idaha, as is also Edwin ('.: Harriel M. 
is the wife of William S. Morton, of Gage County. 
Neh.: Harvej G. Mini Henry T.. deceased, Mini Sa- 
vannah M. Theparents of Mrs. Chamberlin were 
natives of Pennsylvania; tin' father was horn Aug. 
24, 1791, the mother Dec. 29, 1799. They became 
the parents of four children, of whom Hulda Mini 
Paulina are deceased. The surviving children .'ire 
Mr-. ( hamberlin and her brother Joseph, who is 
li\ ing in Tioga County. I'm. 

In the vear 1858, oursubject removed with his 
famity to DeKalb County. 111., and there resided 
until 1866, when they migrated to this State, Mini 
for about a year lived in Nemaha County, but 
settled in 1867 on his present farm of 188 Meres on 
section 6, township i'> north, range 12 east, lie has 
brought it from the wilderness of its primitive con- 
dition to it- present state, which reflects thegreat- 




•►Hl^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 






293 ii 



est credit upon his thorough practical knowledge 
of agriculture, his industry and good management. 
Throughout all lie lias had the generous, unselfish 
:ii<l of his devoted wife, who has from the first been 
all that a true helpmate could be. They are widely 
and favorably known as true, capable and worthy 
members of tin- community. They arc members in 
good standing of the Christian Church, and take 
much interest in matters pertaining thereto. Po- 
litically, our subject is a Republican. For many 
years he has served his school districl as Treasurer, 
and indeed was active in the organization of the 
district. 

* bix> - 

a MLHELM NIEMANN, a representative Ger- 
Jj! man farmer of Spring Creek Precinct, 
Ww purchased in thespringof L874, 160 acres 
of land on section ii. where he has since labored in- 
dustriously and with most excellent results. Upon 
it there had been little attempt at improvement, 
but it is now numbered among the valuable estates 
in the northeastern part of this county, which have 
been built up by the hand of industry and perse- 
verance by the men to whom Johnson County is 
indebted for her present position among the com- 
munities of the Great West. 

The first home of our subject was on the other 
side of the Atlantic, in the Prussian Province of 
Westphalen, where his birth took place May 7. 
1841. His parents were Herman and Lotta (Ober- 
uicyer) Niemann, whose household consisted of 
five children, namely: Wilhelm, Henry, Ivatie, Her- 
man and Minnie. Of these all are living, anil resi- 
dents of < iernianv and the United states. The par- 
ents are deceased. 

Our subject spent his youth and early manhood 
in his native Province, and iii common with the 
youth of the German Empire, was placed in school 
at an early age and received a fair education in his 
native tongue. As soon as old enough lie employed 
himself at farming, and lived in Germany until a 
man of thirty years. Then, not being satisfied with 
hi- condition or his prospects, he resolved to seek 
his fortunes in the New World. Taking pass- 
age on an ocean steamer at the port of Bremen, 
iii 1*72. he landed thirteen days later in New 



York City, and making his way directly Westward 
crossed the Father of Waters into this state, and 
for about eighteen months was employed on a farm 
in McWilliams Precinct. Otoe County. At the ex- 
piration of this lime he secured the land which lie 
now owns and occupies. Later he was married, 
March 17, 1875, to Miss Louisa Pahde. who was 
horn in Gasconade County, Mo.. April 21. 1850. 
Her parents were natives ofGermany. The mother 
is deceased; the father is now a resident of Otoe 
County. 

To Mr. and Mrs Niemann there nave been horn 
seven children, as follows: Mary 11., the eldest, is 
deceased; William, horn Dec. 17, L876; Freder- 
ick, March 1."), 1878; Harmon. March Hi. L880; 
Lmma. Aug. I.".. ls,s2; Minnie, July 1.*.. 1884, and 
August, Oct. 31, 1886. Our subject and his es- 
timable wife are both members in good stand- 
ing of the German Evangelical Church, and Mr. 
Niemann, politically, votes with the Republican 
party, lie has been quite prominent in local affairs, 
serving as School Director four years, and otherwise 
Contributing as he has had opportunity to the moral 
and educational welfare of the people around him. 
The Niemann homestead with its appurtenances is 
a noticeable feature in the landscape of Spring 
(reek Precinct, having about it the air of peace 
and plenty which is most pleasing to contemplate. 



-&- 



t^t 



h !> 



T~T 



£> 



OHN W. BRIDGES, of the linn of Pearson 

& Bridges, hardware dealers, is one of the 
leading business men of Sterling. lie was 
Wj born in Massachusetts in October, 18.04, to 
Thomas and Anna (Richardson) Bridges, natives 
respectively of England and Vermont By the 
death of his father when he was a little child, and 
Of his mother a few years later, in 1869, he and his 
Sister Ella were left orphans. lie was thus early 
thrown on his own resources, and developed a man- 
liness and self-reliance much beyond his years. In 
the spring of 1870, a lad of sixteen years, he came 
lo Nebraska to try life in the West. He staid a 
year anil a half in Beatrice, and from there went to 
Tecutnseh, where lie passed the next four years. In 
•► 



JL 



294 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



1875 lie came tu Sterling. lie owns a farm and 
has it well improved, and supplied with suitable 
buildings and everything necessary for carrying on 
agriculture. He lived on it until January, 1888, 
when he came to the city to make his home, and to 
establish himself in his present business with A. 
Pierson, an early settler and prominent business 
man of the place. They carry a general stock of 
hardware, queensware and harness, and do quite an 
extensive business. Mr. Bridges also has an inter- 
est in the Sterling Lumber Company, of which he 
is the Treasurer, having been elected to that office 
when the company was organized in 1887. 

Mr. Bridges was married in November, 1877, to 
Miss Flora K. Atkins, a sister of W. C. Atkins. 
whose biography appears in this volume. Their 
happy wedded life has been blessed to them by the 
birth of three children — Mabel, Walter and Thomas. 
Mrs. Bridges is a valued member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, while Mr. Bridges is connected 
with the Christian Church. They arc quiet, unos- 
tentatious people, whose pleasant home is the center 
of genuine hospitality. 

Mr. Bridges is a man of culture and much and va- 
ried information, for though left an orphan atau early 
age he attended school while he lived in Massa- 
chusetts, and he continued to do so winters after 
he came to Nebraska, and thus obtained the pre- 
liminaries of a sound education, which he completed 
by a course at the Nebraska Normal, where he was 
a student for one year. He is a man of goo'd busi- 
ness talents, and prompt and straightforward in his 
dealings. 



,fizs^ HR1STIAN POHLENZ is prominently iden- 
[I [ n tified with the wealthy and enterprising 

^^7 farmers and stock-raisers who have done so 
much to develop the vast agricultural interests of 
Johuson County, and his large farm in Helena 
Precinct, with its broad, will-tilled acres, its fine 
orchards, and its substantial buildings, is one of the 
most valuable estates for many miles around. 

Mr. Pohlenz was born in Prussia, May 1), 1823, 
and there grew to manhood. He early learned the 
trade of blacksmith, which he followed in his native 



country six years. He was married to Caroline 
Schubine, and in 1859 came to the United States 
with his wife and three children. He had but $80, 
with which he bought a cow, a cook stove, and some 
flour, and thus he and his family began their life in 
this country. He located in Waukesha County. 
Wis., and there worked for eight years at his trades 
of blacksmith and cooper, having learned the latter 
trade after settling in Wisconsin. In 1 sr. 7 he re- 
solved to move to Nebraska and avail himself of 
the cheap and fertile lands that were for sale by 
the Government, and make his home in the future 
under its sunny skies, and receive the benefit of its 
genial climate. After coming here he purchased, 
under the provisions of the Homestead Act. 160 
acres of land, which is located on section 15, and 
on this he has erected a fine large brick house, a 
commodious barn, extensive corn cribs and gran- 
aries, and windmills, with large stock tanks. His 
house, which is of a good style of architecture, 
and is neat and well-arranged inside, was built 
at the cost of $2,000. He has seventeen acres 
in orchards, from which he derives a good in- 
come, and he has six acres of finest, which he 
planted himself, and from which every year he sells 
a number of cords of wood, besides devoting :i 
large supply to home uses. He bought 240 acres 
of school land on section 10, shortly after coming 
here, which he has under good cultivation, and has 
it we'll fenced with hedge. His farm now com- 
prises in all 400 acres of rich and productive land, 
located on sections 15 and 10, Helena Precinct, 
and under his skillful management it has been 
brought to a high state of tillage, that which was 
once wild prairie land when it came into his posses- 
sion, now yielding bountiful harvests. This has 
been brought about only by the quiet force of per- 
sistent and well-directed toil, as Mr. Pohlenz's 
earthly possessions when settling here consisted of 
§300 in money, a team of horses and a wagon. Mr. 
Pohlenz has met with gratifying success in raising 
stock, to which he devotes much attention. Every 
year he raises some Norman horses, some Poland- 
China hogs, and he has a fine herd of cattle of a 
good grade, mostly Short-horns. Mr. Pohlenz has, 
with characteristic shrewdness and enterprise, in 
vested some of his wealth in real estate in the 



« » JL «»- 



f 



-*•■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



*fr 



29;; 



f 



growing and prosperous town of Sterling, and lie 
also bas $500 worth of stock in the .Sterling Lumber 
t'<>. lie lias erected in that town a large brick 
■business bouse, at a cost of $5,000, and a residence 
house, costing $ 100. 

The following are the seven children horn of the 
happy wedded life of our subject ami his estimable 
wife: August, Paul; Augusta, living in the Black 
Hills; Aurelia, living in Wymore, Cage Co., Neb.; 
these are all married; George, Edward and Mary are 
still at home. Mr. Pohlenz and his family are 
members of the German Lutheran Church, and 
t ho v stand high in this community for their ster- 
ling worth and many pleasant social qualities. 

Mr. Pohlenz may well take pride in his splendid 
farm and in the fact that his fortunes are of his Own 
building, that he is, indeed, a '-self-made"' man. 
Also that he has been able to contribute so much to 
'the advancement of Helena Precinct and Johnson 
Count}', his liberality and public spiritedness mak- 
ing him vie with his neighbors in promoting all 
schemes lor the material advancement of both. He 
i- :i man thoroughly to lie depended upon, as his 
honest}' ami integrity are beyond question, and his 
kind heart and genial manners have won him many 
warm-hearted friends. Mr. Pholenz and family 
lived the first thirteen years after coming to Ne- 
braska in a dug-out. 



^— *^>«€t^<^ 



-* 



*t 



OllN E. HALL. Among numbers of other 
resolute and energetic men, who, in the fall 
of 1866, made their way to the Territory of 
Nebraska, the subjeel of this sketch wended 
lis way to Johnson County with his wife and chil- 
dren in the fall of that year, and homesteaded 100 
acres of land on section 13, Spring Creek Preciuct, 
where he i> -t ill located. They made the journey from 
Michigan, and found here not a shelter for their heads, 
nothing hut a tract of uncultivated prairie, with few 
indications that the eyes of white men had ever 
been turned in this direction. Their first shelter 
was a plank hoii.-e. and after gathering about him- 
self and little family the things which they most 
urgently needed for their comfort. Mr. Hall ap- 
plied himself with energy to the cultivation of the 

■4» 



soil and the development of his farm. The success 
with which he labored is indicated in his present 
surroundings, whiclf"compare admirably with those 
of his neighbors. 

Our subject began life at the modest homestead 
of his parents in Wayne County, Ohio, May 3, 
1825. His father, Nathan Hall, was a farmer by 
occupation, and in early manhood had married Miss 
l'ermelia Stanley, with whom he trod the journey 
of life until they were separated by the death of 
the wife in 1863. 

Nathan Hall was a native of Monongalia County, 
in West Virginia, and his wife Permelia was born 
in Berkshire County, Mass. They were of Scotch 
and English ancestry, and the elder Hall served 
under the grandfather of the President-elect, Gen. 
Harrison, familiarly known as Old Tippecanoe, in 
the War of LSI 2. This branch of the Hall fam- 
ily had its representatives in America prior to the 
Revolutionary War, they settling first in New 
Hampshire, whence they emigrated at an early day 
to the soil of the Old Dominion. There they were 
closely allied to the F. F. V.'s, people of good stand- 
ing in their community and generally well-to-do. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
nine children, six of whom are living, namely: 
Nabbe M., the wife of I-;, o. Johnson, of Barry 
County. Mich. ; Elizabeth P., Mrs. An way, a widow, 
also of that count}-; Esther C, Mrs. C. II. Brewer, 
of Ulster County, N. Y".; Jonas A., a resident of 
Michigan; Amos C, of Phillips County, Kan.; and 
John K., our subject, the sixth child. The de- 
ceased were .MinervaS., Ezra S. and Joanna M. The 
parents removed from Virginia to Medina County, 
Ohio, in 1817, and two years later to Wayne 
Count}', taking up a tract of Government laud, 
and settling among the earliest pioneers of that 
region, lived in Wayne County until 1834. They 
then returned to Medina County, where the} con- 
tinued to reside until about lo. r )2, then moved to 
Michigan, ami in Barry Count}' repeated the ex- 
periment of pioneer life. The mother rested from her 
earthly labors in Michigan, in 1863. The elder 
Hall survived his estimable wife. a period of ten 
years, his death taking place also in Michigan, in 
L873. 

John E. Hall was reared to manhood amid the 






.►h^*: 



*ri i «• 



296 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



pioneer scenes of the Buckeye Shite, receiving his 
education in its primitive schools, which, it is hardly 
necessary to say bore little comparison to the ad- 
vantages of the present day. He, however, wasever 
a thoughtful and studious boy, and made the most 
of his opportunity in the perusal of good books, 
and lias always kept himself well informed upon 
topics of general interest. He has followed farm- 
ing mostly, but has also worked as a carpenter con- 
siderably, laboring in his Held very successfully, 
although never professing to be a skilled mechanic. 
1852 found him in Barry County. Mich., where he 
took up 220 acres of Government land, upon which 
he operated until ISO'5, when he sold out pre- 
paratory to coming to Nebraska. In that county 
also he found his wife, formerly Miss Lucy A. 
Hamilton, to whom he was married .May .'!. I860. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of James 
S. and Caroline (Colton) Hamilton, who are now 
residents of Spring Creek Precinct, and of whom a 
sketch, appears elsewhere in this volume. Of this 
union there have been born ten children, nine of 
whom are now living, namely: Ernest S., Em mett 
E., Helen M., Cora I., Hattie A.. Albert S., Guv 
E., Vesta A. and Nathan. Four of these were born 
in Harry County, Mich., and the others in this 
county. They are bright and intelligent, and form 
a group of which their parents may be reasonably 
proud. 

The property of Mr. Hall is the accumulation of 
his own industry, and he may most properly be 
classed among the self-made men of Johnson 
County, who. in the building up of their home- 
steads, have erected for themselves an enduring 
monument, and whose record may be looked upon 
with pride by their children after them. Mr. Hall, 
politically, first identified himself with the Whig 
party, but is in full sympathy with the working 
clement of the county, and now lends his support 
to the Union Labor movement. He has served as 
School Director in his district a number of years, 
and socially, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, 
being a member of Tecumseh Lodge No. 17. 
While a resident of Barry County, Mich., he was 
elected to the office of Sheriff, the duties of which 
he discharged in a satisfactory manner two years, 
besides representing Hope Townshipon the County 



Board of Supervisors. He has also served as 
Township Clerk and Treasurer, and occupied many 
positions of trust and responsibility among his fel- 
low. citizens wherever he has been. Both he and 
his estimable wife stand high in the social circles 
of their community, and have gathered around 
them hosts of friends wherever they have chanced 
to reside. 

SfOHN H. CROW, dealer in coal and wood, 
weigher, etc., is upholding a portion of the 
business interests of Tecumseh with credit 
J to himself and satisfaction to all with whom 
he deals. A native of Cass County, III., he was 
born March 14, 1826, and received his education 
mostly in the schools of his native township. He 
was reared a farmer's boy. anil when setting out 
in life on his own account occupied himself as a 
farmer in Sangamon County. III., of which he was 
a resident for a period of twenty years. There also 
he became an extensive land-holder, being owner 
at one time of about 1,000 acres, most of which 
was improved land. He also engaged quite exten- 
sively in stock-raising and accumulated a snug prop- 
erty. A sudden fall in values was the occasion of 
great loss, and he finally decided to repair his mis- 
fortunes on the other side of the Mississippi. 

Mr. Crow came to Richardson County, this 
state, in the fall of 18G9, and purchased a tract of 
land near the rising town of Humboldt, upon which 
he lived four years. Then selling out he came to 
Tecumseh. of which he has since been a resident, and 
until 1883 was mostly interested in live stock. In 
the summer of that year he established his present 
business. He is rapidly placing himself upon a 
solid basis, and is the owner of a good home just 
outside the city limits on Second street. The city, 
however, is rapidly growing up around him, and 
his property will in consequence increase in value. 

Mr. Crow in 1865 entered 10,000 acres of land 
within twelve miles of Tecumseh, for the sum 
of seventy cents an acre. Had he retained posses- 
sion of this he would have had far more than 
enough and to spare for his declining years. He 
has been prominent in local affairs, and in the 
spring of 1874 was elected Mayor of Tecumseh on 



•+^Y-~+ 



*4^ 



JOHNSON ( ol MV. 



297 



tht- Republican ticket. A man genial and compan- 
ionable, lie has hosts of friends among all classes ol 
people, Hi- career has been that indicative of a 
a ntleman by birth and breeding. 

Our subject on the 5th of September, 1849. 
closed one of the most important contracts of his 
life by his marriage with Miss Sarah F. Dillon, of 
.-anion County. III. The yoong people com- 
menced the journey of life together in asnug home 
.a Ashland, III., and their household was completed 
by the birth of three children, one of whom. Henry 
I/., died in Nebraska, March 13. 1*74. when twenty- 
two year- old; Elizabeth is the wife of Albert 
Harrison, a railroad official residing at White Pig- 
eon, Mich., and the mother of four children; Rob- 
ert married Miss Louise Campbell, is a printer by 
trade and an editor by profession, and maki 
home in Sturgis, Dak. The mother of these chil- 
dren departed this life at her home in Illinois. Jan. 
19, 1855. 

Mr. Crow contracted a second matrimonial al- 
liance, with Miss Parthenia R. Dillon, • - ofbis 
first wife, March 23, 1862. Of this union there 
hive been born two children, Sarah and Lilly K. 
Mrs. Parthenia Crow was born Nov. 1. 1841, in 
Sangamon County, III., and is the daughter of 
Joshua and Elizabeth Dillon. The father is still 
living, making his home with his youngest -on in 
The mother is deceased, dying Oct. 27, 
23d of March. 1889, would have wit- 
Klieth anniversary of their mar: 
had the mother lived a few months long 

William Crow, the father of our subject, un- 
born Manh 5. 1 7'.):!. in Wythe County. Va, He 
left the Old Dominion when a child with bispai 
they removing to Barren County. Ky.. when- Will- 
iam became familiar with farm pursuit- and 
veloped into manhood. Subsequently he occupied 
himself as farmer and minister combined, and spent 
the remainder of his life in Morgan and Cass Coun- 
III. lb- became a resident of the Prairie 
state in 1819, and was one of the earliest pioneers 
of Morgan County, where he carried on farming 
extensively. His first wife became the mother of 
two children and died. II- was married a second 
time in 1824, to Mi- Susan Hall, and of this union 
there were also born two children, our subject and 




Ster, Mary A., who i~ now the wife of James 
L. BeggS, of Ashland. III. The mother departed 
this life at the homestead in Illinois. April 10, 1845. 
William Crow survived his wife a period of twenty 
years, passing away on the L'L'd of August, 18l 

John Crow, the paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was also a native of Virginia, where he lived and 
carried on farming until a i<-\v years before bis 
death. He then removed to Kentucky, where he 
died about 1810, when -till a young man. being 
only thirty-eight years old. Mis- Sarah Crow, a 
daughter of our subject. March 4. 1883, was mar- 
ried to William Wbeatley, of Tecuinseh, and is the 
mother of one child, a son Frederick. Mr. Wheat- 
ley i- a native of Ohio, an honest, industrious man 
and a reputable citizen. 



ON. WILLIAM FREEBORN, a well-known 
pioneer of Johnson^County, is one of the 
foremost citizens of the town of Sterling, of 
which he was an early settler, lb- i- Presi- 
dent of the Sterling Lumber Company, is Vice 

lent of the Bank of Sterling, of which he was 
one of the founder-, and he is a member of the 
City Council. He is a native of Scotland, born in 
that country Oct. 7. 1828. When a boy of thir- 
teen year- he came to the United States with his 
parents. Robert and Elizabeth (Laird) Free burn. 
They located in what is now West Virginia, where 
the father died in 1856, and where the mother still 
makes her home with her daughl 

Our sul - thus for the most part reared 

and educated under the Democratic institutions of 
this country, and he has proved a loyal and worthy 
citizen. In 1865 he came as far W, -• a- Iowa, and 
after a stay in that State of two years, he came to 
Nebraska in 1857. This part of the country was 
then nnder Territorial government, and presented a 
wild and uninhabited appearance, although there 

a number of Indians here who devoted the 
land to bunting purposes, as wild game was plentiful. 
There were only three white families an the river 
from Tecuinseh to twenty miles further up the 
being the families of :, Mr. Darby, 
why lived three miles northwest of Tecuinseh 



* 



*► 



298 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




Mr. Bentz, who lived here, and who had earlier 
laid out Sterling, and D. J. Baker's family, five 
miles to the north. Mr. Freeburn located in John- 
son County, about six miles northwest of the present 
site of Sterling, and there he bought 100 acres of 
land of the United States, took up eighty acres 
under the provisions of the Homestead Act, and 
bought forty acres of an early settler. In the years 
that followed, by persistent labor and able manage- 
ment, lie brought this land under a high state of 
cultivation, provided it with good buildings, and 
when he sold it, about three years since, it was one 
of the best improved farms in this part of the 
county, and brought a round sum of money, much 
above its original cost. Mr. Freeburn early came 
to Sterling to work at his trade of carpenter, even 
before the town was laid out, and live years since 
he came here to make his permanent home. He 
built a number of the houses of Sterling, and laid 
out that part of it called Kneeland's Addition. Be- 
sides being such an important factor in the up- 
building of the town as a carpenter, as a capital- 
ist, he has entered heartily int.) the various schemes 
for its improvement. He is very liberal, and has 
contributed generously to advance any gooil cause, 
and thus, although not a member of any religious 
organization, he has helped to build and sustain 
churches. We have referred to the part that he 
takes in city affairs as one of its civic officers. He 
is one of the organizers of the bank of Sterling, and 
in 18b 1 was elected to the present position that he 
occupies among its officials. As President of the 
Sterling Lumber Company he has directed its 
affairs with great vigorand wisdom, and has greatly 
extended its business, which amounts to from $50,- 
iioo to *00,000 a year, the expenses being about 
$100 a month. Aside from his interest in tins 
company he has some valuable pieces of residence 
property in the city. 

Our subject has worked his way up to a position 
of wealth by an indomitable will, seconded by in- 
dustrious habits and a sound judgment, as when 
he came to Nebraska City he was a comparatively 
poor man. Mr. Freeburn is one of the leading 
Democrats of Johnson County, and his popularity 
and the confidence in which he is held by his 
fellow-citizens far beyond the limits of his home are 



indicated by the fact that he was elected to the 
State Legislature in 1882, to represent a constitu- 
ency strongly Republican, being the first Democrat 
ever elected to that position from this county. He 
is prominently identified with the Masons of this 
locality, being a member of Sterling Lodge No. 
70, A. F. & A. M. 




* ARCUS WALKER. 



This gentleman, a 
very successful farmer and stock dealer, 
whose residence is upon section 8, Western 
Precinct, and who makes his headquarters at 
Crab Orchard, was born in Clermont County. Ohio, 
on the 12th of September, 1830. His father, Will- 
iam C. Walker, was a Kentuckian, and was born in 
Fleming County. lie was one of the early settlers 
of Clermont County. His son, the subject of this 
writing, was reared upon his father's farm and from 
Ins boyhood has been thoroughly conversant with 
all the various parts and points connected with this 
calling. 

The subject of our sketch received a very lim- 
ited education in his native county. He migrated 
to Pike County, 111., in 1854, settling first in Sum- 
mer Hill and later in New Hartford. He came to 
this county in March, 1864, and made his home on 
his present property. At that time the face of the 
country was unchanged from what it had been for 
ages and there were very few settlers in the dis- 
trict, lb- went 100 miles west to Ft. Kearney to 
sell his grain, and to St. Joseph, Mo., a distance of 
1 13 miles, to buy his goods. Whenever he had oc- 
casion for blacksmith work a journey to Pawnee 
City, distant twenty-five miles, was necessary. He 
homesteaded 160 acres of land and has been very 
successful, both as a farmer and stock-raiser, in 
the latter department giving attention more espe- 
cially to the higher grades of cattle. lie is now the 
owner of 400 acres of improved land, which is pro- 
vided with the large majority of implements neces- 
sary for the successful operation of the same. 

On the 24th of August, 1858, Mr. Walker be- 
came the husband of Martha M. Iloskins. The 
father of this lady, Henry William Iloskins. resided 
during the latter years of his life in Pike County, 



^^. 



.►4^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



■•*• 



299 



111. There also his daughter Martha waa born and 

reared, Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of 
thirteen children, ten of whom are living. Their 
names are recorded as follows: Lucy, George II., 
Henry \V., [da M., Sarah A., Elmer, Oscar, James 
M., Marcus E. and Charles. Lucy is no« the wife 
of Warren L. Marshall, of Crab Orchard, and is the 
mother of three children, viz: Ralph, Beatrice and 
an infant unnamed ; George is happily married to 
Ida Barham, and resides on section . r > of this pre- 
cinct, and has one daughter, to whom was given the 
name Eva. 

Mr. Walker is a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also a firm 
supporter of the Prohibition party. He is not 
prominent, however, in political circles, being 
somewhat retiring in disposition, and for the same 
reason does not seek official honors, but is highly 
respected in the community, as he is also in relig- 
ious circles. 




1, OB ARMSTEAD. Among the prosperous, 

well-to-do citizens of Lincoln Precinct is 
the subject of this sketch, whose beautiful 
farm of 160 acres of tillable, fertile land is 
situated on section ;3.'i, township i north, range 12 
east. He is a native of what is now Fulton County, 
Pa., and was born Jan. 14, 1827, to Jacob and Re- 
becca (Knable) Armstead, both natives of Penn- 
sylvania, but of Scotch and German extraction. His 
maternal great-grandfather. Mr. Laverne, served as 
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. An uncle, Enoch 
Knable, was also a soldier, and served throughout 
the Black Hawk War. while yet another uncle. Dan- 
iel Knable, fought in the Seminole Indian War in 
Florida. 

When our subject was about six years of age he 
accompanied his parents, who removed to Mary- 
land, where the father died within a few months 
after their arrival. Our subject remained with his 
mother until he came of age, who gave him every 
possible opportunity in her power to give him 
that home and school training which she realized 
was necessary if he were to fulfill her hopes in fu- 
ture years. His youth was spent upon the farm, 



and he thoroughly understands all the minutia and 
detail of farm work. As the result of his own ef- 
forts he has become a well-informed man, and capa- 
ble of handling current topics with ease and 
ability. 

The marriage of our subject with Rachel Hoof 
was celebrated at Path. Ya., on the 28d of May, 
1850. The lady of his choice was born in Germany 
on the 21st of March, 1819, and is the daughter of 
Conrad and Catharine Hoof, by whom she was 
brought to this country when an infant. The ocean 
voyage, of which necessarily she has no recollec- 
tion, excepting as it has been supplied by her par- 
ents, occupied over nineteen weeks. They finally 
landed at the city of Baltimore, and from there 
went to Virginia, where her parents died. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Armstead ten children have 
been born; live of these survive, whom we mention 
as follows: Alexander, now in Missouri engaged in 
fanning; Catharine, who was married to Charles 
Waterworth, of Mason County, 111.; William, a resi- 
dent of Thayer County ; Rebecca and Susan, who 
are at home. Resides these there is an adopted son,. 
Daniel R. Dawson. The deceased children were 
named as follows: Mary I.. Sarah F., John and 
Harriet M. 

With the intention of migrating westward our 
subject and family left Virginia in the spring of 
1864, locating in Peoria County, III., and resided 
there until the spring of L 866, when removal was 
made to this county. Here a homestead claim of 
1 60 acres situated as mentioned above was taken 
up, and upon it he has continued to reside from 
that time. It was, Of course, in a virgin state, and 
if remained for him to develop its resources and 
bring it to a condition of cultivation that would 
render it profitable to him. This he has done with 
gratifying and more than expected success. 
Throughout the years of their companionship he 
has always found in his wife a faithful and devoted 
helpmate, having their truest interests at heart, one 
in whom he could confide and with whom he eoidd 
counsel. 

Mr. Armstead is a true and loyal citizen; his po- 
litical associations are with the Democratic party. 
Religiously, both he and his wife are active mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he 



^»^ 



•► w< » 



300 



.JOHNSON COUNTY. 






has served as Steward and Class- Loader for anura- 
ber of years. They are also active members of so- 
ciety locally, and are everywhere accorded the 
heartiest confidence and regard. 




AVID R. BUSH, whose reputation as a rail- 
road contractor is by no means confined 
to Johnson County, was born on the 19th 
of March, 1848, near [Ttica, N. Y. His 
parents removed when he was about four years of 
age to Kenosha County, Wis., and lived there four 
years; then they went to Illinois, his father having 
died at that time, and his mother believing it would 
he wise to make the change. Their new home was 
at Plattvllle, and there he received all the educa- 
tion that his mother could give him, taking his 
place in the common schools of that town. Upon 
leaving school he went to farming, and became 
quite successful although but a young man, con- 
tinuing until 1867, when he determined to move 
West, and came to Vesta Precinct, Johnson County, 
'and took a farm. This he moved upon and began 
the work of improving it. From untamed prairie 
land he speedily brought it to a splendid state of 
cultivation, but was not satisfied until he had made 
it one of the finest farms in the district. Selling 
that property, he removed to Nemaha Precinct, 
where he engaged in his trade. 

While in Vesta Precinct Mr. Bush had begun and 
carried on some little blacksmithing and carriage 
work, but now launched into the business in earn- 
est, continuing thus engaged until 1882. In March, 
1880, he moved to the city of Tecumseh, where he 
had built a fine residence on Clay street, between 
First and Second, which he has continued ever since 
to make his home. At the time of his settlement 
in Vesta Precinct there were but a few settlers scat- 
tered here and there along the different creeks. 
Bridges had not yet been built, though much de- 
sired, settlers were few, and schools rather remark- 
able by their absence than otherwise. The only 
institution in his precinct had lost its school-house 
by tire, and so was minus. 

Moving to town, Mr. Bush continued his trade, 

«» ■ 



but after four years it was given into the bands of 
a foreman, who continued it. At that time our sub- 
ject was elected to the County Treasurership on the 
Republican ticket, and served through the term of 
1883, with much credit to himself and satisfaction 
to the public, so much so that he was offered a 
re-election, but in 1885 he devoted himself to his 
work as a railroad contractor, and speedily had his 
hands and shops full, lie has been connected with 
the Rock Island & Fairbury branch of the Burling- 
ton & Missouri River Railroad, and upon quite a 
large number of their branch lines in Illinois and 
Nebraska, his last one being that at LaSalle, III. 
He takes deep interest in his work, is very exact 
and thorough, so that his contracts have always 
been filled and satisfactorily accepted, and at the 
same time have left him financially successful. In 
his work Mr. Bush has been connected with the well- 
known firm of Re3 - nolds Bros., of Wymore, also 
Fitzgerald, Kil pa trick and others. 

While a resident of Vesta Precinct our subject 
was on the School Board the greater part of the 
time, and always took the greatest interest in that 
work. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F., 
andis a Knight of Pythias, prominent in the order, 
and of good standing. He has always been a 
stanch supporter of the Republican party, and a rep- 
resentative man of the city, honored and respected 
by all who know him, whether in social, political 
or business circles. 

Mr. Bush, while a resident of Vesta, became the 
husband of Miss Sarah K. Ross, their marriage being 
celebrated on the 18th of June, 1872. The chil- 
dren whose names are appended form their family 
circle: Eugene 11., Edith M., Robert R., Ethel P., 
Laura and Florence LaRue, all of whom are at home 
with their parents, who are giving to them the best 
education the institutions of Tecumseh afford. Mrs. 
Bush is the daughter of J. M. and Ellen (Saunders) 
Ross. She was born in the State of Illinois, on the 
19th of January, 1855, and accompanied her par- 
ents when they removed to Nebraska in 1865. 
Her father is still a farmer, enterprising and pros- 
perous in the above precinct, and with his wife, is 
enjoying the fruits of their joint toil in the past. 
They are the parents of eight children, whom they 
have brought to mature years. Both are greatly 



f 



■*♦■ 



JollXsON COUNTY. 



■^TT^ 



301 



esteemed in the Baptist communion, of which they 
have for many years been members. 

The father of our subject, Thaddeus Bush, was 
a native of Germany. He came to this country 
when a young man, and settled near I'tiea, N. V., 
where he took a farm ami there continued to live 
until 1852, when he removed to Wisconsin, where 
he died four years later, aged forty-four years. 
His wife was a native of New York, and previous 
to her marriage bore the name of Alvina Andrews. 
She presented her husband with five children, who 
subsequently took their places in the ranks of the 
honored citizens of this community. Both were mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church for many years. Mrs. 
Bush moved lo Plattville, and subsequently, in 
1867, to DeKalb County, afterward coming West 
witli our subject, at whose home she died in the 
year 1878, aged sixty-three years. 



d\T OHIN B. SHAKKETT, one of the prosper- 
| ous farmers, fully abreast of the times in all 
j matters pertaining to his occupation, and 
V one of the prominent men in religious cir- 
cles, and a much valued citizen of Lincoln Precinct, 
ie a native of Fayette County, Ohio, where he 
was born on the 8th of April, 1826. His parents, 
John and Nancy Sharrett, were natives of Virginia. 
His father, who served in the War of 1812, settled 
in the Buckeye State shortly after the conclusion 
of hostilities. Of nine children born to them the 
following survive : .lane, the wife of Robert Snell, 
of Xenia. Ohio; Mary, who is married to Frederick 
Shigley. of Ft. Madison, Iowa; Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
L. 1). Slade. of Elgin, III.; Martha, the wife of 
Andrew Wolf, of Jay County, Ind.; and our sub- 
ject. Both parents of our subject died in the year 
18G2. 

Mr. Sharrett was reared in Fayette County, Ohio, 
where he lived until be was about twenty years of 
age. All bis early life was spent upon the farm, 
and from boyhood be worked at whatever duties 
could he assigned him, with the result that he has 
become a thoroughly practical farmer. Upon reach- 
ing the above-mentioned age he removed to Greene 
County, Ohio, where he began to learn the brick- 

■4* 



mason and plastering trade. This he continued to 

follow for a number of years at Xenia, in that 
county. 

The marriage of our subject with Elizabeth 
Straley, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth 
Straley, natives of Virginia, was celebrated on the 
20th Of July, 1850, at Fayette, Ohio. Mrs. Shar- 
rett was born in Fayette County, Ohio, and unlil 
her marriage lived with her parents. She has 
presented her husband with eleven children, four 
of whom are now living, viz: Francis M., now 
of Crab Orchard, in this State; Lafayette, of this 
county; Luella. the wife of William A. Larnett 
of Lincoln Precinct, in this county; and George 
P., of Nemaha County. 

Accompanied by his family our subject came to 
this county, in 1856, and pre-empted 1 (Id acres of 
land on section 18, township 5 north, range 12 
east. This is the property he still owns, but to 
which he subsequently added ten acres. The entire 
170 acres are thoroughly improved and in a high 
state of cultivation, yielding him, other things 
being equal, crops above the average. At the time 
of his settlement it is said there were but two 
houses within the boundaries of Johnson County, 
and they were by no means completed, so that he 
is among the first actual settlers in the county, which 
he has watched with pride as it has been transformed 
from its original to its present condition. Stud- 
ded as it is with well tilled, cultivated and slocked 
farms, it is one of the mosi progressive and wealthy 
counties of the State. Our subject has made a 
specialty of raising Short-horn cattle, and the better 
grades of some other varieties of cattle. 

Mr. Sharrett was chosen one of the first Com- 
missioners, and in fad helped the organization 
thereof, and so well did he till the duties pertaining 
to his office, that for thirteen consecutive years his 
constituents continued to return him to the office. 
For several terms also he held the office of Assessor, 
where he was also faithful in the discharge of his 
duties, as elsewhere. In polities he has always been 
a stanch Republican. Deeply interested in all edu- 
cational matters, he has rendered effectual service 
to the Board of Education, of which he was a mem- 
ber for many years. Religiously, he is a member 
of the Methodist Fpiscopa] Church, to which be is 

" •► 



t 



. 



*•■ 



JOHNSOS COON l'Y. 



^T^* 



- . - Mrs. S arrett; both are held in 
the highest possible regard. Our subject holds the 
offices of Trus S ill miiI Class-Leader of the 
church, and he is one of the pillars of the organixa- 
li\ the social order of Odd Fellowship he is 
acko _ a member in good standing, and is 

accorded the confidence of all hi* fellow-members. 

i — « LMER w. NELSON represents valuable 
|-« farm properly in Lincoln Precinct to the 
1 \ . . s of land, with convenient 



- antral buildings, and devotes bis attention 

- _. I lis homestead is located 

on section -(>. and he is numbered among the rep- 

- tative men of the county, one who lias taken a 

genuine interest in its progress, and has contributed 

in no small degree toward bringing it to its presenl 

- ion. 

\ native of the Dominion, our subject was born 
in the city of Perth, District of Bathis, Jan. 1. 1833, 
and is the son of -lames and Martha (Goarley) Ncl- 

who were natives of Ireland, and who cr — 
the Atlantic in their youth, settling with their par- 

- in Canada, where they were married and lived 
until 1851. They became the parents of ten chil- 
dren, seven of whom survive, namely: Elmer W., 
our subject; Margaret, the widow of Mr. Long- 
worth, of LaSalle Conuty, 111.: Jan s, sident 
of Bureau County. HI.: l.etitia. the wife of 
Alexander Holbrook, of Bureau County; William 
and Josiah in Dakota; and Isabelle, Mrs. Gideon 
Rytchmyre, of Princeton, 111. The deceased are: 

Mary and Martha, who died at theages of 
n years, two years, and ten months, respect- 
ively. 

Our subject was educated in the publi< - 
of his native Province, which he left when about 
eighteen years of aire, and removed with his par- 
ents to LaSalle County. 111. They located first in 
the town of LaSalle, but a year later removed to a 
farm in that county, where Elmer W. remained 
with his parents until his marriage. This impor- 
tant event in his life occurred .Tune 23, 1857, his 
bride being M ss Mi garet McKibben. Mrs. Nel- 
son was born in Upper Canada, May -J7. 1834, being 

+— 



the daughter of Daniel and Johanna (Murphj ) \i, 
Kibben. who were natives of Ireland, and crossed 
the Atlantic, each with their parents, when young 
in years. Thej were married in the city of Ottawa. 
and became the parents of three children, the eld- 
as f whom, Henry, died when about three years 
old. The survivors are Mrs. Nelson and her sister 
Annie, the latter a resident of Pennsylvania. The 
father died in Canada about 1836, and the mother 
survived him until 1845. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there ha\ e 
been born eight children, namely: Margaret .1.. 
the wife of .lames Morrisv. of Vesta Precinct; 
Elmer G., James 11.. Mar\ M.. Alexander K.. Mar- 
tha A. and Maude I.. The deceased child, a son, 
Allen, died when about eighteen months old. 
Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Nelson 
took up their residence in Bureau County. 111.. 
where our subject engaged in farming, and whence, 
in the spring of 1881, he came with his family to 
this county, and purchased the land which he now 
owns and occupies. He began life with very little 
capital, hut was strong in hope and stout in mus- 
cle, and being assisted by one of the most devoted 
ami industrious of women, has accumulated a com- 
petence for his old age. 

Mr. Nelson was a resident of Henry County. 111.. 
a period of twenty years, during which time he 
served as County Commissioner one term, and 
Sehix>l Director eight \ ears. Here also he has been a 
School Director in his district, and in politics is in- 
dependent, aiming to support the men whom he con- 
siders best qualified to serve the inl - - I the 
people. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, although having 
labored industriously many years in the accumula- 
tion of their property, are still in the prime of life, 
and capable of enjoying years of prosperity and 
happin ss 



bl'.NKY SCHUMANN. Lincoln Precinct rec- 
s no better citizen within its borders 
than the subject of this sketch, who is com- 
vjy fortably situated on section 9, and i> busily 
a ged as a general fanner and stock-raiser. A 
native of Rock Island. 111., he w:is bom April 7. 
. and is the son of John and Elsaba \ Brandt | 



* 



Jl^ 



4 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 






Schumann, who were both natives of II'. 
• lermany. 

Tli< of our subject _ ed to Ami 

about 1851, settling in Rock bland County, III.. 
where the father carried on agriculture a U- 
sons, then changed hi- residence to Henry ( ounty, 
where h<- lived until the summer of l*7n. Thence 
they crossed the Mississippi into this county, and 
settled upon the laml which their son Henry now 
owns and occupies. Here the father lived and la- 
bored until the illness which resulted in hi- death, 
May 24, 1686, when he was about seventy-four 
years old. The mother only survived h<-r bus- 
band a few month-, her death taking pla 
A ii ^r«i-i following. They wen- the parents of five 
children, three of whom are living, namely: John 
I)., a resident of Nebraska; Anna S., the wife of 
(.. M. Shrouf, of Kansas, and Henry, our subject. 
Both parents ■were members in s 
the German Lutheran Church, and were widely and 
favorably known throughout Lincoln Precinct, 
win-re they enjoyed in a marked degree the > - 
and confidence of its best people. 

John Schumann came a pioneer t<> thi- county 
before a furrow had been turned u jk m the land 
which lie chose for the scene of hi- future opera- 
tions. He was a man of great energy and perse- 
verance, ami by the exercise of incessant industry 
and the closest economy built up for himself and 
those dear to him a comfortable and valuable hoine. 
Upon becoming a naturalized citizen he identified 
himself with the Democratic party, and in thi-. as 
in all hi- actions in life, exercised that conscien- 
tious course which impressed those around him with 
hi- moral worth and integrity. In bis death John- 
son County l"-t "in- nf her most rained German 
citizens. 

Henry Schumann accompanied hi- parents 
Nebraska in the summer of 1870, and assisted in 
the development of the new farm. He hail obtained 
a somewhat limited education in his native S 
the advantages of those days being far behind 
those enjoyed by the youth of to-day. Hi- has 
been occupied in fanning pursuits all his life, and 
amid the '/rein fields and quiet pursuits of the 
country finds his chief happiness. When not 
thirty year.- of age he was married, -Ian. 20, 

«■ 



t'. Mi— Annie, daughtei ■■( Frank ' who, 

like her parent* .ml. and 

l>orn May 17. 1865. Her fathei 'lent 

of Smartville; the mother i- L Their fam- 

ily included twelve children, eight of whom are 
in Nebraska, one in Europe anil three 

Our subject anil hi- wife began the journi 
life together al the old homestead which 
tered the former for go many year-, and which 
comprises 120 acres of fertile land under a 

"f cultivation, with suitable farm buildings. 
Their union ha- been blessed by the birth of 
children — < larence H. and Anna Pan Hi 
Mr. and Mrs. Schumann are members in 
standing of the Catholic < burch, ami our subject, 
politically, i- a thorough-going Democrat, a man 
of decided views, ami upholding his principles 
with all the natural strength of his character. He 

i "f Lincoln Precinct in the 

fall of 1**7. serving his term acceptably, and re- 
ceived the nomination for the -aim- office Oct. 11. 

ectcd. He hat 
urer for his school district for the last three 
-. and, being a descendant of a nationality 
paying special attention to the education and early 
training of it- youth, i- a firm believer in compul- 
sory education, lie take- a lively interest in poli- 
tics, although no office-seeker, anil in bus 
matter- i- one of those men whose word i- consid- 
ered a- g 1 a- hi- lion'l. 



"Hi^H^^ 




ARRISON W. MERRILL, one of the fore- 
en of Johnson County, i- a 
prominent merchant of the city of Sterling, 
which is much indebted to him for its high 
standing in the commercial world .as an enterpris- 
ing and prosperous municipality. lie was born in 
:. Me.. Feb. 11. 1841, and was reared and 
educated in that old New England town. His par- 
ents were Bradberry and Asenath (Blether) Mer- 
rill, natives of Durham. Me. The father died at 
the nL'e of seventy-three year-, and the mother is 
still living, ami resides in Maine. She has at- 
tained the age of eighty-four year-. 

In March. 1861, our subject left the beautiful 






304 



-•* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



fr 



*t 



scenes of his early home and went forth to seek 
his fortunes in the Great West, ami (hiring: the first 
year of the war he lived in Stark County, 111., and 
it was in Kewanee. Henry Co., 111., in his young 
manhood, he resolved to become a soldier and 
fight for his country, enlisting Aug'. 11. 1802, in 
Company V. 121th Illinois Infantry. He served 
faithfully and unfalteringly throughout the re- 
mainder of the war, and none in the ranks were 
braver or more efficient in eamp or on the battle- 
field. He was iii Gen. John A. Logan's division, 
and was with his regiment in every mile of march on 
their way through different partsof the South. He 
was only in a hospital ten days, when his comrades 
were encamped at Vicksburg. Through the many 
battles in which he fought he miraculously escaped 
without a wound, and returned home with his health 
impaired only by exposure. 

After the war .Mr. Merrill made his way back to 
his New England birthplace, and was a resident 
there until 1867, marrying' in the meantime, on the 
first day of that year. Miss Felicia II. .Mitchell. 
She is a native of Dover, Me., horn .Inly 18. 1843, 
and is a daughter of John and ( harlotte ( Littletield ) 
Mitchell. 

After marriage Mr. Merrill removed to Mas- 
sachusetts, where he engaged with I). W. Batch- 
elor .V Co.. hoot and shoe men. He remained with 
them three years, and then came to Nebraska, ambi- 
tious to try life again in the great and growing 
West, where he shrewdly foresaw he could invest the 
$3,000 that he had accumulated after the war to a 
good advantage, and in a few years he numbered 
among' tin 1 wealthy capitalists of this county. He 
first located in Blue Spring, Gage County, with his 
family, hut. in April. 1871. he bought a farm in 
Nemaha, Johnson Co.. Neb., near Sterling, where he 
lived for some years. The land when he purchased 
it was unbroken, and it was his pioneer task to de- 
velop its agricultural resources, and to otherwise 
improve it, which he did, so that it became a val- 
uable piece of property. After residing- there ten 
years he moved into Sterling' to engage in the mer- 
cantile business. He has a neat, well-appointed 
store, and carries a large stock of about $10,000 
worth of general merchandise. He has built up a 
"arge and flourishing trade, as his goods :\\-i' of the 



In st, and he knows well how to cater to the wants 
of the public. Our subject's anticipations in com- 
ing' to Nebraska have been fully realized, as he has 
accumulated much wealth. He now owns 180 acres 
of improved laud in this and Pawnee Counties, 
some valuable property in Kansas City. Mo., a 
commodious residence in Sterling, and he has stock 
in the Sterling Lumber Company, of which he was 
one of the organizers, and is now one of the di- 
rectors. 

To our subject and his wife two children have 
been born — Bessie and Harry II. The latter died 
May 1!S. L887, aged six years. Mr. Merrill and 
his wife are members of the Christian Church, and 
their daughter of the Baptist Church. 

Mr. Merrill owes the acquisition of his wealth to 
the fact that he is a man of more than ordinary 
business and financial ability; his clear vision, 
sound wisdom, and singularly correct judgme.n1 in 
all that relates to commerce, make him pre-emi- 
nent in the business circles of this city. In him 
all worthy schemes tor the advancement and im- 
provement of Sterling find a cordial and liberal 
supporter. Especially is this true in regard to the 
education of the young, and during' the three years 
that he was President of the School Board he used 
his influence to establish a school system which is 
not surpassed in any other city in the county. Me 
is a pronounced Republican in his political views, 
but is not an aspirant for office. Asa pleasant re- 
minder of his army life he is now a member of 
Sill l'ost No. 99, G. A. I!., of Sterling'. 

^g^ AMUEL 1'.. PARKER. The snug farm of 

^s£L eighty acres which is pleasantly located on 

iAJ\3) section 11 in Center Precinct was built up 

from the primitive soil by the subject of 

this sketch, who moved upon it in the spring of 

1883, and began at once the struggle with the soil 

which has brought him such admirable results. He 

has been prospered remarkably in his labors, and 

besides having brought the greater portion of 

his land to a productive condition, lias erected 

a neat and substantial dwelling', with barns, corn 

cribs, and the other structures required for the 



the 1 t\ 



*-I-^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



-♦HMi 

305 , l 



4 



storing of grain and the shelter of stuck. He 
has also planted shade and fruit trees, placed 
scores of rods of fencing', and lias in all respects a 
home of which he may well lie proud. 

Mr. Parker has been a resident <>t' this county 
since the spring of 1879, and has made for himself 
hosts of friends. A Southern man. he was horn in 
Macon County. Tciin.. Dec. 29, 1843, and was 
reared and educated in hi- native Slate. When a 
youth of sixteen years lie migrated across the Mis- 
sissippi into Cape Girardeau County, Mo., ami two 
years later, after the outbreak of the Rebellion, sig- 
nalized his patriotism by enlisting in Company G, 
29th Missouri Infantry, in which he did faithful 
service until the 20th of March, 1863. 

Our SUbjeCt first saw the smoke of battle al 
Chalk Bluff, Ark., and being assigned to the Army 
of the Cumberland was present under the command 
of Gen. Sherman in the first engagement with the 
enemy at Vicksburg; subsequently he was in the 
light at Arkansas Post and at Jackson, Miss., besides 
other minor engagements. For awhile lie was on 
detached service, and then, as the result of hard- 
ship and exposure, was taken ill and sent to Jeffer- 
son Barracks, Mo. There he remained until being 
mustered out. lie escaped wounds and capture. 

although at one time he received a serious scratch 
from the Slivers tjf a fence near hi in which was lorn 
by a cannon hall. 

A- a native Of One Of the Southern States Mi-. 

Parker manifested his loyalty to an unusual degree. 
His forefathers were slave-holders, and the later 

members of the family were ill sympathy with tin* 

Confederacy. Three of the cousins of Mr. Parker 
sarved during the war in the rebel army. His 
father, however, 'was a Union man. and a member 

of the Missouri Militia before the war. Samuel !'>.. 
not long after receiving his honorable discharge, 
came to what was then the Territory of Nebraska. 
and located in Nemaha County, in the month of 
April. 1868. Thence, in 1879, he came to Johnson 
County, where he has since lived. 

While a resident of Nemaha County our subject 
made the acquaintance of one of its most estimable 

young ladies. Miss l.utclia. < la lighter of Rev. Thomas 
I). Ivl wards, and they were wedded on the I Ith of 

November, 1865. Mrs. Parker was horn March 6, 

««•— 



1848, in Iowa. The maiden name of her mother 

was Rebecca A-ghpaugh. The parental household 
included seven children, who are now scattered in 
the West. The father is now deceased, and the 
mother lives with our subject. To Mr. Parker and 
his estimable wife there have been bom six chil- 
dren, namely: William. Nettie. Maude. Ilattie. 
Grace and Clinton I!. Fisk. They all continue at 
home with their parents. Mrs. Parker is a member 
in good standing of the Christian Church, and our 
subject, politically, is a Prohibitionist. He is .a 
man liberal and progressive in his ideas, strict in 
his moral principles, a warm advocate of temper- 
ance, and the fact that as a Southern-born man he 
was loyal to the Government of the United states, 
is one to which his children may revert in after 
years, and in which they may justly take pride. It 
indicates perhaps more forcibly than anything we 
could name the chief characteristics of the man. 
Such a one can be trusted, and he is looked upon by 
his neighbors as a member of thecommunity whose 
word is as good as his bond. 




£~r>$sv~e 

THOMAS W. MILKS, a leading citizen of 
Tecumseh, and the owner of a line property 
within the city limits, bus been for many 
years recognized as one of the leading citizens of 
this county. He is an ex-Mayor, and ex-Treasurer 
of the Johnson County Agricultural and Mechan- 
ical Society, and has most of the time during his 
residence in the county been prominently before 
the people as a citizen warmly interested in eveiy- 
thing pertaining to its progress anil welfare. 

Our subject, was born in Green County, Wis., 
Oct. 28, 1850, where he received a good education 
and lived until a youth of eighteen years. Then 
going into Stephenson County. 111., lie engaged in 
farming until 1880, when he came to this State, and 
locating in Tecumseh Precinct, engaged in farming 
one year, then changed his residence to Tecumseh, 
where he embarked in general merchandising. The 
year following his arrival here he purchased an in- 
terest in the Tecumseh llouring-mill. and in partner- 
ship with a Mr. Brandon operated this al I. two 

years. Then having an opportunity to sell oul to 






306 



. JOHNSON COUNTY. 



rir 



4 



good advantage, he did so, and invested a portion 
of his capital in drugs and groceries, in partnership 
with Messrs. Rogers & Coffee, the firm name becom- 
ing Rogers, Coffee & Milks. They enjoyed a lucra- 
tive trade for two years, the store being located 
at the corner of Third and Clay streets, in Russell 
& Holmes' fiue brick block. 

In May, 1887, our subject disposed of his inter- 
ests in the business above mentioned, and in com- 
pany with E. B. Combs purchased a livery stock, 
which he operated with his partner until the 1st of 
January, 1888. Then selling out he turned his at- 
tention to farming, in which he has since been en- 
gaged, lie is now a prosperous man, and his career 
is highly illustrative of the results of industry and 
perseverance. He has been careful to live within 
his income, prompt to meet his obligations, and his 
course through life has been that which has secured 
him the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citi- 
zens. Politically, he is an ardent Republican, and 
upholds the principles of his party in a manner 
characteristic of the man. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Elizabeth 
Place was celebrated in Stephenson County, 111., 
Dec. 15. 1872. Of this union there have been born 
two children, Charles E. and Flora A., who con- 
tinue at home with their parents, and are receiving 
the best educational advantages afforded in the 
county. Charles, a bright and studious boy, ex- 
pects to be graduated from the Tecumseh High 
School in the class of '89. He is but a little over 
fifteen years old. 

Mis. Elizabeth (Place) Milks was born in Ste- 
phenson County, 111, Sept. 29, 1854, and is the 
daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Bivens) Place. Her 
father was a native of New York, whence he re- 
moved early in life to Illinois and carried on farming 
in Stephenson County until his death, which oc- 
curred in the summer of 1877. His decease was at- 
tended with circumstances unusually sad, behaving 
been drowned while fishing with a net. The mother is 
still living, and makes her home with her children, 
west of Tecumseh. 

Ezra Milks, the father of oar subject, was born 
in Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated to Wiscon- 
sin early in life and was there married to Miss Polly 
Phillips. They became the parents of three cliil- 



dren, of whom Thomas W. was the youngest. The 
mother died when the latter was a little lad four 
years of age. and he was then taken into the home 
of strangers. When eight years old he commenced 
working on a farm for himself for any one who 
would hire him. He seldom saw his father after- 
ward, in fact, has only seen him three times since 
he was four years old, the latter having married 
and moved to Missouri. 

Our subject became identified with the Masonic 
fraternity while a resident of Illinois, and has still 
maintained his warm interest in the principles of 
the Brotherhood. lie has held the various offices 
of his lodge, and with his estimable wife, belongs 
to Eastern Star Chapter. lie is also connected 
with the s.ins of Veterans. 

ALCOLM STEWART. M. D. The medical 
'II iV, profession possesses in the person of Dr. 
Stewart a most worthy and able represent- 
ative, which statement will be most heart- 
ily endorsed by- the numerous patients of Crab 
Oruliard and the neighborhood, who have been fort- 
unate enough to secure his services in the hour of 
their need. The Doctor is a graduate of the medical 
department of the State University of Iowa, ami from 
the time he received his diploma until tin' present has 
been more than usually successful in the profession. 
He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on the Moth of 
October, 1838. He is the son of John Stewart, of 
Black Hawk County. Iowa. 

The subject of our sketch remained upon the 
farm with his father until 1878, when he entered 
the Stale Normal School at Cedar Falls, being grad- 
uated therefrom after completing the full curriculum 
in June of the year 1881. In the September follow- 
ing he took charge of the Cascade (Iowa) schools 
for one year, then, in 1882, he came to Tecumseh, 
and conducted the first institute here. During 
this time he had been reading medicine, ami upon 
the conclusion of the Institute he entered the 
medical department of the University of Iowa 
City. He received his diploma on the 5th of 
March, 1 ssf. and in the following May came to 
Vesta and began practice. This has grown day by 



f- 



--■ — -■ , .. . „ 




Residence of Jonathan 5ouders,5ec. 16.(6 = 11.) Helena Precinct. 




Oak Grove Stock Farm, Property or C.H.Beethe.Sec. 34.(4- 11.) Todd Creek Prect. 



•►Hl^ 




JOHNSON COUNTY. 



309 



day until it is quite extensive and withal very re- 
munerative. 

Dr. Stewart was married on the 22d of June, 
L884, the lady of his choice being Mary E. McGee, 
the daughter of Thomas C. McGee, a former highly 
respected resident of Vesta. The above marriage has 
been blessed by the birth of a son, Charles E., who 
has brought with him to the home a brightness and 
happiness even greater and deeper than that which 
characterized it prior to his advent. Both Dr. and 
Mrs. Stewart are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and are accounted among the most 
devout and earnest supporters of the cause. 

The Doctor is quite a politician, a stanch Re- 
publican, taking the greatest interest in advocating 
the plan of American protection for American 
labor. He is a man of much public spirit, and a 
typical American citizen, progressive, enterprising 
and prosperous. 



eARL HENRY BEETHE is one of the repre- 
( sentative citizens and pioneers of Johnson 
' County, and owns an excellently cultivated, 
fertile farm of 1 54 acres on section 34 of Todd 
Creek Precinct. It is a model farm in every re- 
gard, without being so dubbed. Other things being 
equal, its harvests are of a model order, and the 
success, financial and otherwise, of our subject is be- 
yond question, lie has resided upon his present 
farm since the year 1869, when he first came to the 
State. It was then in such condition as allowed 
him the largest possible scope for effecting any pur- 
pose he might have in mind, being in every way 
like unto the surrounding prairie. By constant ap- 
plication, energy and labor he has brought it to its 
present excellent condition of beauty and product- 
iveness. His residence he built in 1876, and it is 
now one of the best in the district. He also 
erected a large and com modi mis barn, ami put in new 
out-buildings, which was somewhat of fl departure 
from and improvement upon the previous condition 
of things, not only upon his own farm but in the 
district generally. 

The subject of our sketch was born on the 15th 
of May. 1850, at Hesscn, Germany. lie was 



•HHi; 



eight years of age when he was taken to DuPage 
County, 111., by his parents, who took up a claim 
there. The schools of that county provided him 
with such education and mental training as gave 
him a good foundation for his afterlife. That it 
has not been lost upon him is seen from his ability 
in the management of his farm. He was united in 
marriage with Miss Louisa Sodmann on the 30th of 
July, 187G, and of their union six children were 
born. Their names are as follows : Sophia, Minnie, 
Christopher, Carl, Christine and Dedrich. Mrs. 
Beethe was born on the 4th of September, 1859, 
near Dubuque, Iowa, to John and Frederike Son- 
man n. 

Carl Beethe, the father of our subject, was born 
in Germany on the 7th of March, 1815. His wife. 
the mother of our subject, was Minnie Bueltemier. 
Their union resulted in the birth of twelve children, 
all but one of whom grew to maturity. The father 
came to Illinois in L858 with his family, and in 1869 
settled upon the farm he now owns, which he has 
made all that it is. He now lives a quiet, retired 
life, leaving to a son the care of the farm. He is a 
member of the Lutheran Church, and in political 
affairs stands with the Republican party. 

The subject of our sketch makes a specialty of 
raising thoroughbred Poland-China hogs and high- 
grade stock, and has made a very careful provision 
with this purpose in mind, having every practical 
arrangement for rendering his work as effective, 
convenient anil profitable as possible. He is the 
owner of a very fine Clydesdale stallion, weighing 
about 1,500, which has quite a reputation in the 
district, His herd of Short-horns numbers about 
sixty, all of them valuable high-grade stock. 

Mr. Beethe has made his way in the world almost 
unaided, and has been largely prospered in all his 
efforts. He is a man whose character has always 
been above suspicion, honorable, strictly honest in 
all business transactions, one whose word could at 
all times be taken. lie has frequently held variou s 
offices, and has been both Supervisor and Assessor. 
In 1883 he was elected County Commissioner, sei v- 
ing the county with ability. He is a member in <*ood 
standing of the Lutheran Church, and in polities 
supports Republican principles. Frequently has he 
been called upon to represent the county as a dele- 

■► 



JU 



310 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



gate to conventions and meetings, and he is en- 
joying the confidence of the people of the county, 
being everywhere held in high regard. For a view 
of his home see another page. 



-S-^==3*^4^- 



4 



\f ( >N ATI I AN S( )l ' DERS. Most of the best citi- 
zens of Nebraska are found among the mem- 
bers of the agricultural community, because 
being a comparatively new country thej 
are in a large majority. Among those who besl 
represent American citizenship is the subject of our 
sketch, the owner of a good farm of 160 acres on 
section Hi. township 6 north, range 11 cast, of 
Helena Precinct. 

The subject of our sketch is the son of William and 
Hannah Soiidcrs. and was born on the 8th of June, 
1828, in Fulton County, Pa., in which State both 
his parents were also born. He is the oldest child 
born to Ins parents, and was reared to manhood, 
received Ins education and made liis lirsl start in 
life in his native State. From early boyhood he 
has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and hav- 
ing had a natural liking for that kind of life lias 
been quite successful in his labor. 

Mr. Souders has been twice married. His first 

was celebrated in Pennsylvania in 1852, the lady 
of his choice being Elizabeth Hull, who was born 
in Maryland, and was the daughter of Abraham 
and Mary Hull. By this marriage he became the 
parent of four children, viz.: William A.. Edward. 
John, and an infant who died unnamed. The first 
mentioned is the only one still living. The maiden 
name of his second wife was Jane Mullinix, the 
daughter of John and Susan Mullinix. of Virginia 
and Pennsylvania. Of the children of this union 
live are now deceased. We mention those who 
survive as follows: Annie, wifeof Edward Chastain, 
of this county; Addie, Clyde, Lizzie, Albert !>., 
Cora and Lewis. Those deceased were named 
Clarence, Daniel, Pearl L.. Avery and Alvey. 

In the year 1869 our subject left Pennsylvania 
for the West, and located finally in Knox County, 
111., when' he made his home and saw considerable 
success, remaining there until 1872; then he de- 
termined to make another removal, and came to 



this county in 1873 and settled upon his present 
property. The entire Hid acres he has brought to 
a very tine condition and has greatly improved it. 
His house and farm buildings are quite good, and 
his farm is well cultivated. He usually raises corn 
and oats, and sees good results accruing. A view 
of the place is shown on another page. 

Mi'. Souders looks with pride upon the improved 
condition of things since the time he came to this 
State, and is glad to he able to remember that he 
has at all times been of such spirit as to do all he 
could to advance those interests. He is a member 
of the German Baptist (Dunkard) Church, as is also 
his wife. For the last ten years he has officiated as 
Deacon in that communion, lie has for a number 
of years Served as Moderator of the school district, 
taking an interest in his work. In politics he is in 
full accord with the Democratic party, and is a rec- 
ognized supporter of the same. I Ie is one of t he 
representative pioneers of the county and a self- 
made man. and is regarded by those who know him 
as a truly worthy and loyal citizen, and with his 
family is respected throughout the community. 



y*@£3/(TOT»\~ -VV»- 




W\/\. ~v*2£j2*®^@ 



ROSS HITCHCOCK, a young man of more 
than ordinary ability, is not only one of the 
fl educators of Johnson County, being a teacher 
in the public schools of Sterling, but he is also 
identified with its agricultural interests. He is a 
son of Col. Nicholas E. Hitchcock, a banker of Ster- 
ling, and one of its leading business men, a sketch 
of whose life will be found on another page of this 
volume. 

Our subject was born in Perry County, Ohio, 
Jan. (i, 1863, and his boyhood was passed amid the 
pleasant scenes of his birthplace. He received an 
excellent, practical education in the public schools 
of his native State. In the early part of 1881 he 
came to Nebraska with his parents, who settled in 
Sterling, and in that year he began to utilize his 
"book learning" by entering the ranks as teacher at 
the age of nineteen years. Both by education and 
temperament he is peculiarly adapted to this pro- 
fession, and he has met with gratifying success in 
its pursuit. He taught for some lime in the schools 



f 




JOHNSON COUNTY. 



311 



of this vicinity during the winter terms, alternating 
Mint vocation in the summer months with agricult- 
ure. In the winter of 1884-85 he was first enrolled 
among the instructors of Sterling, and has ever 
since been a teacher here, still continuing to farm in 
the summer. lie is progressive and scholarly, and 
keeps well abreast of the times in regard to the 
most approved methods of imparting instruction, 
and occupies an assured position among the educa- 
tors of Johnson County. 

Mr. Hitchcock was married, .March 30, 1884, to 
Miss Hattie L., daughter of William and Jane 
Kneelaud. She is the only surviving child of her 
parents, and was the first child born in the city of 
Sterling, her birth occurring here May 20, 1867. 
Of her marriage with our subject one son has been 
born, Willie F. The cozy home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hitchcock is the center of refinement and true cult- 
ure, and its genial and courteous host and hostess 
make it attractive to a large circle of friends. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hitchcock are active members of the 
.Methodist Episcopal Church, and they nobly second 
every effort of their fellow-members to elevate the 
mural status of the community in which they liv 
Mr. Hitchcock, like his father .and brothers, is n 
firm supporter of the principles promulgated by the 
Republican party. 



4 



., NN E. (ALLISON) WATSON and her late 
husband, John J. Watson, were among the 
early pioneers of Johnson County, and 
@/J were active in the development of her agri- 

cultural resources, and in otherwise promoting her 
growth. To people of their sterling worth and 
strong integrity of character the county is greatly 
indebted for the high moral tone that pervades its 
society. Mrs. Watson is now living in the seclusion 
of one of the coziest and most comfortable homes to 
be found in the pleasant town of Sterling, where she 
is deservedly held in the highest respect and esteem. 
The death of her husband, which occurred on the 
homestead, Oct. 8, L882, at the age of fifty-four 
years, was a severe blow to the interests of the 
community, Of which he had so lung been a valued 
member. lie was lint little past the prime of life, 

♦ 



and in the midst of a busy and useful career, which 
it was hoped might be continued for many years. 
Hut a kind and wise Providence ruled it otherwise, 
and he was taken away before the decrepitudes 
of old age had rendered life a burden, leaving 
behind him in the hearts of many warm friends the 
memory Of a true and upright man, who was beloved 
by all for his tender heart and many generous 
benefactions. His character was unblemished, and 
in his public life, for he took an active part in the 
administration of civic affairs, he was always de- 
voted to his duty, and was never known to swerve 
from the straightforward path of honesty and rec- 
titude. 

Mrs. Watson, our subject, was born in Frederick 
County, V a., to Simpson and Maria (Mills) Allison. 
When she was about seven years old her mother 
removed to Wheeling, W. Ya., her father having 
died one year before, leaving a. widow ami four 
children, namely: Andrew J.; James A., who died 
at Wheeling, aged eighteen years; Ann E. and John 
M. The latter was blind, and was educated in 
Staunton, Ya. The mother of our subject died in 
Wheeling, Aug. 29, 1853, aged forty-six years. The 
daughter of whom we write was carefully reared to 
womanhood by that excellent parent, and trained in 
all the household duties that go to make an accom- 
plished housewife. She was united in marriage to 
John J. Watson April 2:1, 1848, the ceremony being 
performed by the Rev. William Armstrong. In 
1856 she and her husband emigrated to Southern 
Kansas, butafter a stay there of about three months, 
on account of drouth and sickness they left for 
Iowa, where they lived for about a year. In 1857 
they came to Johnson County, Neb., which they 
proposed to make their future home, and they 
bought a tract of 160 acres of land from the United 
Slates, at §1.25 an acre, and later bought the 5 -acre 
plot on which they had put their buildings, suppos- 
ing it to be included in their purchase, but finding 
afterward that it was just across the line. This land 
was finely located about a mile northwest of Ster- 
ling, and there they improved a line farm, on which 
they lived until .Mr. Watson's death. Mrs. Watson 
bought her home in the town, and moved into it 
the next March. She and her husband had no chil- 
dren, but in the kindness of their hearts they 

■► 



•*•■ 



312 




JOHNSON COUNTY. 



adopted a son, William C. Watson, whom they 
reared as tenderly as if he were indeed their very 
own. He was united in marriage to Miss Matilda 
Krantz in August, 1887. 

Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Watson was a 
strong Democrat he was appointed, during Presi- 
dent Lincoln's administration, Postmaster of La 
Trube post-olllce, which was established on his 
home farm, and was the first in this part of the 
county. He discharged the duties of that position 
with characteristic fidelity, and to the perfect satis- 
faction of his fellow-citizens, until his death. He 
was the founder of a star route from Nebraska City 
to "Nursery Hill," now within a mile of Syracuse, 
Neb., and he was Road Supervisor several years 
prior to his decease. Mr. Watson was a veteran of 
the Mexican War, in which he did gallant service 
for about two 3 - ears, when he was honorably dis- 
charged on account of ill-health. He was an exem- 
plary Christian in his daily conduct, although not a 
member of any church. 

Mis. Watson is a valued member of the Presby- 
terion Church, and also of the society Home of the 
Friendless. "Verily her works do praise her," and 
her good deeds arc silent witnesses of a noble life. 



■HM— 



^AMES M. THOMPSON, one of the early 
settlers of Johnson County, and one of 
its representative, men, is the owner of an 
exceptionally fine farm comprising the whole 
of the northwest quarter of section 18 of Todd 
Creek Precinct. In 188G he retired from the 
active operation of his farm, and is now engaged 
in attending the office of the Jennings Lumber 
Yard, and being a Justice of the Peace, holds his 
office at the same place. 

Mr. Thompson first saw Nebraska in the year 
1 805, when he came prospecting, and in those 
j nimeyings traversed almost the entire State. On 
the 9th of May, 18G6, he crossed the river at 
Brownville with his family and stock, using for 
the purpose one of the flatboats commonly in use. 
They had left their home in Knox County, 111., on 
the 18th of April, and did not arrive at his farm 
on Elk Creek until the 12th of the following month. 



His farm when first taken up was barren of every- 
thing but the native prairie grass, and entirely un- 
cultivated, but before very long its appearance was 
vastly changed for the better, and it is now one of 
the finest farms in the count}'. 

In first locating upon his homestead Mr. Thomp- 
son built a log house, which served him until 1S74, 
when he erected a very handsome frame dwelling. 
He has also put out fully eight acres of forest trees, 
has planted two good and extensive orchards, and 
also a peach orchard of 1,000 trees, The farm by 
way of fencing has a well-kept, thick hedge, which 
presents a very picturesque appearance and answers 
the purpose perfectly. His various buildings and 
other improvements are in keeping with such as 
would be found upon a model farm, where both 
the knowledge and the means are at hand to obtain 
a well-nigh perfect result. Most certainly our sub- 
ject has the knowledge, ability and energy, and 
has effected his purpose. He has chiefly been en- 
gaged in the raising of swine, cattle and horses. 
and in these employments made a large financial 
success. 

The subject of our sketch has been a Justice of 
the Peace for twelve years, and for fifteen consecu- 
tive terms was Judge of Elections. For many 
years he continued to hold the office of Moderator 
of the school district. His religious convictions 
have led him to the membership of the Christian 
Church, with which Mrs. Thompson is also affiliated. 
In that communion our subject has for man}' years 
held the office of Deacon. He is also a, member of 
the G. A. R., and Chaplain of the local post. He 
is held in very high regard by his neighbors, is a 
111:111 of character, and honest and worthy, and it is 
not forgotten that he did whatever was in his 
power in the earlier days of settlement in the dis- 
trict, in order to advance its interests and firing it 
to its present enviable condition. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Brown 
Count}', Ohio, on the 28th of May, 1818, and re- 
sided there until 1831. His parents saw to it that 
hr received a good practical English education, and 
afterward he was fully instructed in both the prac- 
tice and theory of agricultural pursuits. He started 
life for himself, and went to farming in his native 
county. There he met the lady of his choice, Miss 



f 



-4^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



313 



Belinda Schoonover, to whom he was united in 
wedlock on the 24th of January, 1843. To them 
have been given nine children, of whom five sire 
still living. Their names are as here appended: 
Elijah C., Frances M., Belinda J., James M., Jr.. 
and Douglas E. Those deceased are as follows: 
Mary E., Tobiatha A., Emma E. and Belle. 

Leaving Ohio in I S."> 1 our subject went to Knox 
County, 111., where he continued farming until 
1861. On the 10th of November of that year he 
enlisted in Company G, of the 58th Illinois In- 
fantry, and served in the Cumberland campaigns, 
lie saw much service, and shortly after the fight 
at Ft. Donelson was taken sick and taken to the 
hospital at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained 
until August of 1863, and on the 3d day of that 
month received his discharge. Upon leaving the 
hospital our subject received an honorable dis- 
charge, owing to disability, and thereupon returned 
to Illinois, where he shortly after sold out his inter- 
est, and came to this state, as mentioned aliove. 

The wife of our subject was born in Randolph 
County, W . Ya., in 1824, and there lived until she 
was about eight years old. At that time her par- 
ents migrated to Ohio, which became her home 
until her marriage, as above mentioned. The tie 
has not yet been severed, and as the years have 
succeeded each other the}' have but told the same 
Story of faithfulness and devotion in her wifehood. 
She has been a true helpmate to her husband, and 
devoted mother to their children. She is the 
daughter of Ebene/.er and Sarah (Reck) Schoon- 
over. Her father was a native of West Virginia, 
where he followed the occupation of a farmer, and 
died in the year 1842, leaving his widow and live 
small children. These later removed to Ohio, 
where Mrs. Schi >onover lived until our subject came 
to this State, when she accompanied the family, 
and died in 1883, being then ninety-two years of 
age. 

Of the children of our subject the eldest son is 
the husband of Emma E. Nicholson, of this precinct, 
and follows the occupation of farming, and is also 
a preacher of the Christian Church. Three chil- 
dren call him father, whose names are as follows: 
Erattie M., Albert and Wilfred. Francis M., who 
also lives in this precinct, was united in wedlock 

-4- 



with Miss Mary A. Libby; they also have three 
little ones, viz: Jessie May, Delia and Clarence. 
Belinda is the wife of George W. Knowles, of this 
precinct, ami they have six children, viz: Rodgers, 
Effa, Harry, Grace, Earrele and Clinton I',.; Doug- 
las E. married Miss N. Merwin, and two children 
brighten their home; James M. is unmarried and 
lives at home. 

Charles Thompson, the father of our su bject, was 
born in Ireland, near Dublin, and emigrated to 
America. While quite a young man he located in 
Pennsylvania, and followed his chosen occupation 
of stonemason. There he met and subsequently 
married Miss Margaret Kerr, of Pennsylvania. 
Their family included nine children, sis of whom 
attained their majority. In the year 1 HOI), ac- 
companied by his family, he moved to Brown 
County, Ohio, where he took a tract of heavily 
timbered land, and cleared for himself a farm. In 
this work every member of the family assisted, for 
all found something to do. After improving this 
farm Mr. Thompson continued to make it his home 
until 18114. He then sold it and moved to Knox 
County. Mo., where l.e took up another farming 
property, continuing to reside upon it until his 
death, which occurred in October, 1865, he being 
then eighty-nine years of age. His wife, who was 
eighty-two years of age at the time of her demise, 
departed this life in February of the same year. 
He was for many years a devout member of the 
New Light (Christian) Church, and sustained the 
highest possible character in all his relations in 
life. 



|*=XATIIAN I). PIERCE, a well-known and 
I J)! honored citizen of Sterling, is identified 
_ILi-3 with the agricultural interests of Johnson 
County, owning, as he does, one of the finest farms 
in this part of Nebraska, which is delightfully lo- 
cated one and one-fourth miles from Adams. Mr. 
Pierce is a. native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., 
his birth taking place amid the beautiful scenes of 
that part of the country. Sept "23, 1837, and there 
the early years of his boyhood were passed. When 
he was a child his parents, Daniel and Wealthy 



f 



•► § r+- 



-•*■ 



3 1 4 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



•t 



(Wheelock) Pierce, removed with their family to 
Geneva, Wis., where he grew to manhood, carefully 

trained in all that goes to make a true man and a 
good citizen. His parents subsequently settled in 
Waupun, Wis., where they both died the same 
week, In August, 1882. Thus they who were so 
devoted to each other in life in death were not long 
divided. In 18G0 our subject went to Fox Lake, 
and was there engaged in the general merchandise 
business until the following year, when the war 
broke out, and as a true-hearted and loyal Ameri- 
can he put aside his business, and all thoughts of 
the success that seemed assured, to join his brave 
comrades, and go forth with them to battle in his 
country's defense. He enlisted in Company A. 
2d Wisconsin Infantry, and for two years was a 
faithful and efficient soldier in many a hard-fought 
contest. But the terrible sufferings and hardships 
of such a life told on his constitution, and although 
not wounded his health was broken down, and he 
was honorably discharged in the fall of 1802, and 
in his old home slowly regained strength and vigor 
under the loving care of his friends. 

The next important step in the life of our sub- 
ject was his marriage, July 18, 1863, to Miss Ora- 
villa V. Kingsbury. She is a daughter of Ephraim 
and Rosina S. (Thayer) Kingsbury, who now reside 
in Pawnee City, Neb. Her father was formerly a 
heavy lumber dealer in Newport, Wis., where they 
were living at the lime of our subject's marriage. 
He is now an extensive stock dealer. Three sons 
complete the pleasant household of Mr. and Mrs. 
Pierce, as follows: William II., a bright, manly 
youth who entered the navy at Chicago, Aug. 1, 
1888; and Frank and Fred, who live at home, and 
have not yet completed their education, butarestill 
in school. 

In 1866 Mr. Pierce, who had not yet fully recov- 
ered his health which was so impaired by his army 
experiences, decided to take a trip in a buggy from 
Kilbourn City, Wis., across the country to Nebraska, 
a distance of 700 miles, and try the effects of this 
salubrious climate, and if he liked it, make his 
future home here. He and his wife made the 
journey as contemplated, and derived from it much 
pleasure, his health also being highly benefited. 
They settled in Pawnee City, where Mr. Pierce was 



engaged in farming most of the time. In the 
year 1882 he came to Sterling, and bought a farm 
of eighty acres eight miles north of the city, to 
which he removed his family. But about three 
years ago he came into the city with them to make 
his home here, where he owns a commodious house 
in which they live very comfortably, and which 
they render attractive to friend and stranger by the 
genial and whole-souled hospitality extended to 
''welcome the coming and speed the parting guest." 
Mr. Pierce's farm in Adams, which he purchased in 
1888, is finely improved, is well supplied with good 
buildings, and has an abundance of fruit trees, and 
all that goes to the making of a first-class farm. 

Mr. Pierce is in every respect a thoroughly good 
citizen and a fine man. and his neighbors speak of 
him in the highest terms. He and his estimable 
wife occupy a high position in social and religious 
circles. The}' are valued members of the Baptist 
Church, and zealously use their influence to pro- 
mote every work for the good of the community. 
Mr. Pierce is one of the leading members of the (J. 
A. R., Sill Post No. 99, and also of the F. & A. 
M., Bethlehem Chapter No. 20 ; is Chaplain of both 
organizations, and has attained the Royal Arch 
degree in the lodge at Pawnee City. He is not an 
office-seeker, preferring the peace and quiet of his 
pleasant fireside to the bustle of public life, but 
he has been a member of the City Council, taking 
that office at the earnest solicitation of his friends. 
who had no difficulty in electing a man of his well- 
known ability and integrity. In his political senti- 
ments he is with the Republicans, although he 
favors the principles of the Prohibition part}'. 



A. HARRIS is one of the foremost business 
(g) men of the prosperous and lively city of 
l^ Sterling, who are taking an active part in 

building up its commercial interests, as he is a 
prominent grain dealer here, carrying on an exten- 
sive and profitable trade. He is a native of En- 
gland, his birth taking place in that country Jan. 
5,1824. His parents, William and Sarah (Corn- 
fort) Harris, died when he was quite young, leav- 
ing him dependent upon his own exertions for a 



f 



4= 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



■*» 



.■!!.•) 



4 



livelihood. Our subject was, however, well en- 
dowed with muscle and brain, a stout heart and 
willing hands, and at the age of seventeen lie eame 
to the United States to seek work, with the hope 
that he might gain a more comfortable home in re- 
turn for his labors than he could in his native land. 
He located in Maine, and soon obtained work in the 
town of Cooper of a farmer at $8 a month, taking 
his payment in trade instead of money. He worked 
thus for about three years, and also was employed 
in the lumber regions near Holton. Me. In that 
town he met, and at the end of that time married 
.lane Montgomery, a native of Scotland, as were 
her parents, with whom she had come to America 
when a child. They located in the Province of 
New Brunswick, but they spent their last years in 
Rochester, N. Y., with their daughter, Mrs. Harris. 
After marriage Mr. Harris and his wife had gone 
to that city, and with his wife's money lie estab- 
lished himself in the general merchandise business, 
which he carried on there quite successfully for 
several years. But he was ambitious to try life in 
the West, and in 1859 he moved with his family to 
Iroquois County, III., and there turned his atten- 
tion to farming. He resided there until 1879, en- 
gaged the while in agricultural pursuits, and in that 
year made another move still further west, and 
shortly after we Mud him established in Sterling as 
a grain dealer, which business he has since followed 
with marked success, as he has built up a large and 
exceedingly (laying trade, and is regarded as One of 
the solid men of the city. 

In August, 1875, our subject and his family met 
with a sore bereavement in the death of the be- 
loved will' ami mother. She was an earnest mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church; a woman 
of true Christian worth, whose many amiable quali- 
ties endeared her to many beyond the household 
circle, where the thought of her is a sacred mem- 
ory. Of her pleasant married life six children 
were born, of whom the following is recorded: 
William lives in Portland, Ore.; Francis lives here; 
Agnes, Mrs. Bernard llotchkiss. died in Atwood, 
Kan.; Jennie is now Mrs. Dr. Helms, ofBurchard, 
Neb.; John lives near Sterling; Oliver lives in the 
city. 

Mr. Harris has taken a prominent part in local 



f 



and county affairs, his wisdom and experience be- 
ing highly appreciated by his fellow-citizens, and 
he has been a member of the City Council of Ster- 
ling ami Chairman of various county and precinct 
committees at different times. He is a linn sup- 
porter of the policy of the Democratic party, being 
much opposed to the tariff. He came to the United 
States during the campaign in which Polk was 
elected to the Presidency, and he was very much 
interested in the novel methods of electioneering in 
this country, whose institutions were so different 
from those of his native England. Mr. Harris is a 
thorough business man. prompt and systematic in 
his methods, and conscientious and upright in his 
dealings. He is influential in promoting schemes 
for the advancement of the city, and is held in 
deservedly high respect, lie has one of the most 
imposing residences in the city, to which he retires 
from the cares of business, and where he often 
pleasantly entertains his friends. 



-».V\.-<Ji£i2/©^@ 



«gja<zTO»>»wv» 



olIN .1. OLMSTED, a citizen of prominence 

and good standing in Vesta Precinct, eame 
to this county in February, 1879, and set- 
tled on the land which lie still owns and oc- 
cupies. For nine months he kept bachelor's hall, 
and then took a family into his house, with whom 
he lived until his marriage to .Miss Jennie L. Jones, 
Aug. 13, 1 SS2. lie has since given his undivided 
attention to the building up of a homestead and the 
development of his land, and is numbered among 
the well-tO-dO and enterprising men of the north- 
eastern part of the county, lie has good build- 
ings, with an abundance of fruit and shade trees. 
and all the other surroundings which form the 
complete rural home. His farm comprises Kid 
acres on section lit, and. in addition to general 
agriculture, he raises graded stock, having a fine 
assortment of cattle. 

Our SuUJecl was born near .Maquoii. in Knox 
County, 111.. Oct. 13, is;, i. and is the son of Thad- 
deus and Elizabeth (Jones) Olmsted, the former a 
native of Franklin County. Ohio. They left the 
Buckeye State and settled in Knox County. III.. 
during its pioneer days, where the father carried 



2=f* 



316 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



*=!♦ 



on farming. The parental household included five 
children, of whom John J. was the second born. 
The others were Louisa, Theodore, Belle and Amos. 

All are living. Louisa took kindly to her 1 ks, 

and before her marriage was employed asateacher. 
She is now the wife of Rufus Howe, of Western 
Precinct. Theodore is a practicing physician, re- 
siding at Lincoln. 

Our subject spent his boyhood and youth on the 
farm in his native county which his father built 
up from the uncultivated prairie, and there became 
familiar with the various employments of rural 

life. His education was < ducted in the district 

school, and he was taught at home those habits of 
industry which have been the secrel of his success 

in life. After his marriage he carried on the im- 
provement of his property uninterruptedly, and 
has been remarkably successful, at the same time 
pursuing that course, both in business and social 
circles, by which he has gathered around him many 
friends. He is at present the Treasurer of School 
District No. 53, and, with his estimable wife, is a 
member in good standing of the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church, attending services at Rose Hill 
school-house. To Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted have been 
born three sons — Walter. Warren J. and Amos. 



•~ t .. :=^3g^ 



t 



WjILLIAM H IN WOOD LIBBY. Among 
the worthy pioneer settlers of Johnson 
County is the subject of our sketch, who 
is also one of the representative farmers of to-day. 
He is the owner of a very fine property, compris- 
ing 120 acres lying on section 30, township 4, 
range 12, of Todd Creek Precinct; also about 110 
acres of excellent bottom land on section 25, town- 
ship 4, range 11. He lirst came to the State in 
December, 1865, and was on a prospecting tour, 
being anxious to take a homestead in the most 
favorable locality he could find. He decided upon 
a claim of 100 acres on section 21, township 4, 
range 11, and then returned to his home in Indiana, 
where he staid the winter, and early in the following 
year settled upon the claim. 

Naturally when our subject located on his new 
homestead everything was before him yet to be 



accomplished. Not a furrow was turned, not an 
improvement made. He began to cultivate his 
land hopefully, carefully and diligently. He put 
out a hedge around the land of natural timber, a 
large number of forest trees, covering perhaps 
eight acres; also a tine apple orchard and fully four 
acres of peach trees. From the latter there have 
been taken as many as 1,500 bushels in one year, 
but many of the trees are now dying out. In his 
field he devoted himself chiefly to grain farming. 
Among other improvements, lirst in order and im- 
portance was the erection of a dwelling, which was 
a commodious and pleasantly arranged farmhouse. 

In 1879 our subject sold his property and bought 
his present farm, which was partially improved, and 
now presents a far different appearance. The 
house, stables ami other farm buildings arc belter 
than many found upon other properties that would 
apparently warrant the expectation of almost a 
model farm and surroundings. Here, as before, he 
gave careful attention to the details of his farm, 
and did not overlook the forest trees about the 
house, orchards including cherry, plum, pear and 
apricot trees, vinery and such pleasant and profit- 
able departments, and building good fences, in- 
cluding one mile of hedge. He has about 2,000 
forest trees upon the place, and twenty acres of 
natural timber. Since coming to his present farm 
Mr. Libby has given no little attention to stock 
raising and feeding, and is the owner of some very 
fine horses, anil large herds of swine and graded 
cattle. He also at one time dealt quite extensively 
in cattle, shipping man} - carloads, and driving as 
many as 500 head in a year. He is certainly one 
of the most successful farmers in the precinct, and 
in connection with his cattle dealing is known 
throughout the State and even beyond its borders. 

Mr. Libl>3' has been a man of business, and has 
not given an absorbing attention to matters of 
political import. He, however, is a good and true 
citizen, and usually votes with the Republican 
party. He is very favorably known in both the 
fraternity of the K. of P. and the G.'A. R. 

The subject of our sketch is by birth a Canadian, 
and was born in Oxford County, Canada West, on 
the 18th of November, 1841, living there with his 
parents until he was about thirteen years of age. 



f 



Ji<+ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



317 



4 



Then, with them, lie went to Porter County, Ind. 
They settled near Valparaiso. Hi* education was 
received in the home schools, but completed in 
Indiana. After leaving school his mind was di- 
rected to the more serious engagements of daily 
life, and he engaged in farm pursuits. 

In 1862 our subject enlisted, on the 5th of July, 
in Company I, 73d Indiana Infantry, which became 
attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and he 
served through the western campaigns. During 
that time he took part in many battles, among 
them the following: Perryville, Stone River, Nash- 
ville, Franklin, Day's Gap, Crooked Creek, Blunt's 
Farm, Ala., and Pulaski, Tenn. Strange as it may 
seem, he passed through military life without a 
serious wound, and the more so because at the fear- 
ful battle at Stone River his company went into 
the battle fifty strong, and when the memorable en- 
gagement was over less than half that number an- 
swered the roll call. At Rome, Ga., in 1863, 
while under Col. A. D. Straight, he was taken 
prisoner and carried to Belle Isle, where he was 
held for forty days, suffering greatly and witness- 
ing much distress on the part of his comrades. He 
received an honorable discharge on the 2d of July, 
1865, then returned to Indiana, leaving shortly 
afterward for the West upon the above-mentioned 
prospecting journey. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah 
Murray was celebrated March 13, 1869. which 
union has been fruitful in the birth of three chil- 
dren, two of whom, viz., George E. and Edle, are 
still living. Miss Murray was born in Vermont, at 
Ilinesburg, on the 4th of August, 1844. While 
she was still quite a child her parents removed to 
Boston, and later to Lowell; another removal took 
them to Lawrence. When she was ten years of 
age her parents migrated from the old Bay State to 
Vermont, and thence to Indiana, and settled in 
Pinter County, residing there until 1866, when 
they went to Missouri, which has since continued 
to be their home. 

Mrs. Libby is the daughter of Calvin and Caro-' 
line (Mood}-) Murray. Her father was a native 
of the Green Mountain State, and followed the oc- 
cupation of a machinist, which partly accounts for 
the number of removals mentioned above. But he 

4> 



took up farming upon coming West, and still owns 
a fine farming property in Atchison County. Mo. 
He is seventy-nine years of age. I lis wife, who is 
a native of Vermont, has reached the advanced age 
of seventy years. 

William Libby, the grandfather of our subject. 
was an Englishman. He, however, emigrated to 
Canada, and enjoyed quite a reputation as a ma- 
chinist, which was his chosen occupation. His son 
William, the father of our subject, was born at Fal- 
mouth, a seaport in the South of England, and 
came to this country when about twenty-two years 
of age. He became the husband of Miss Wealthy 
Townsend, near London, Canada, about 1824, 
and they became the parents of nine children, 
eight of whom lived to mature years, our subject 
being the sixth child. His death occurred at 
Quebec, in August of 1855, while on his way to 
England. His widow is now living in Todd Creek 
Precinct, having taken a homestead there. She is 
a native of Connecticut, and in her girlhood re- 
ceived the best education then obtainable. She has 
now attained the advanced age of eighty years, but 
is still in the enjoyment of comparatively good 
health. She is very highly esteemed by all who 
know her, and is held in highest regard. 



-er-dSa-S 



\i7 EW1S E. OST. Among the enterprising 
I ((e)! and progressive young men who stand in 
■v — ^ the front ranks of Johnson County, is the 
subject of our sketch, lb 1 comes of an Eastern 
family, having been born in the State of Mas- 
sachusetts. He was reared and educated at Shel- 
burne Falls. 

Mr. Ost is the son of Elias G. and Kate Ost, who 
were natives of Germany. His birth occurred at 
Shelburne Falls. Sept. 1 I, 1861, and even in his 
early days he gave proof of the [lowers he has since 
more clearly manifested and so clearly utilized. 
When about eighteen years of age our subject was 
engaged as agent and operator at the Hoosac Tun- 
nel station on the Fitchburg Railroad, and there 
continued until 1880. 

Mr. Ost came to Johnson County in 1881, and 
located at Elk Creek, but, after remaining there a 



and 
e a T 



i i 318 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



r 






short time removed to Smartville, and engaged in 
grain and stock dealing, in which lie continued 
until 1886, when lie began farming, in which he 
was engaged until the fall of 1888, when he re- 
sumed his former business as agent, on the Burling- 
ton & Missouri River Railroad, near Bellwood, 
Neb. From the first he has been prosperous as a 
business man, and was no less so as an agriculturist. 

In 1884 our subject celebrated the Fourth of 
duly by upon that day being wedded to Miss Mary 
Mook, the estimable daughter of David and Lucinda 
M. Mook, of Smartville. She was born near 
Rochester, N. Y., in 1865. Her parents attended 
to it that she received a good education, and she 
resided with them until her marriage. Of this 
union there have been born three children, whose 
names are as follows: Percy, Mabel and Carl D. 

For two years Mr. Ost served with every satisfac- 
tion as School Treasurer, and has held other offices, 
lie was a member of the committee of the Repub- 
lican party in the precinct, and an active worker in 
connection therewith. Both he and his wife are 
members of the I'liiversalist Church at Tecumseh. 
and in it are held in much esteem. In society at 
large they occupy a prominent position, and at all 
times are well received. Both as a man of business 
and a citizen our subject is respected Ivy his fellows, 
and enjoys a reputation that is irreproachable. 



IIARLES W. POOL. The firm of Pool & 
Cooper are well known as the enterprising 
^^^7 publishers and proprietors of the Johnson 
County Journal, located at Tecumseh. Mr. Pool. 
besides being interested in city matters, has a fine 
tract of land in Western Precinct, embracing 160 
acres, and which is devoted mainly to stock-raising. 
Besides the property above mentioned, Mr. Pool 
owns eight}' acres in Center Precinct, and the Com- 
mercial Hotel at Crab Orchard. He and his wife 
are owners 'of city property in Tecumseh, aside 
from the interest of Mr. Pool in the business of the 
Journal. 

The father of the subject of this sketch was born 
in the city of Columbus, Ohio, and when a little 
lad four years of age went with his parents to Mar- 



shall County, 111. They settled in the pioneer days 
near what afterward became the town of Henry, 
where the father operated as a tiller of the soil 
until about 1836. He then crossed the Mississippi 
into Grundy County, Iowa, and finally, in October, 
1865, made his way to Nebraska, locating in Paw- 
nee City, where his death took place in June, 1867. 
The mother. Mrs. Ann (Shinn) Pool, was a native of 
Virginia, and at the time of her marriage a resi- 
dent of Fulton County, 111. The household circle 
was completed by the birth of seven children, and, 
with the exception of one girl, who died at the age 
of sixteen years, all lived to maturity. The sur- 
viuors are residents of Nebraska and Kansas. Mrs. 
Pool, fourteen years after the death of her first 
husband, became the wife of Mr. David Sheppard. 
and is now a resident of Kansas. 

The father of our subject was a member of the 
.Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his lateryears 
a supporter of the Republican party. The pater- 
nal grandfather, Simeon Pool, was of New England 
ancestry, and during the lateryears of his life car- 
ried on merchandising in Henry, 111., where he ac- 
cumulated a competence, and spent his declining 
days in ease and retirement. His death took place 
in the fall of 1863, when he was a very old man. 

Charles W. Pool, our subject, was bom Nov. 20, 
1856, near Kewanee, Henry Co., 111. lie was seven 
years of age when his parents removed to Iowa. 
He came with them to this State, and completed 
his education in the schools of Pawnee City. He 
commenced his business career as clerk in a store 
of general merchandise, and began learning the 
printer's trade in the office of the Hennepin (III.) 
Record, lie remained there three years, then lo- 
cated in Peotone, and established the Eagle. Six 
months later he returned to his old haunts in 
Hennepin, and the year following crossed the 
Mississippi. 

This was in the fall of 1878. Mr. Pool purchased 
the Sterling News, of Johnson County, but three 
months later changed the scene of his operations to 
Tecumseh, and in company with Mr. Barn hart, 
established the Johnson County Journal, with which 
he has since been successfully connected. He pur- 
chased the interest of his first partner in February, 
1881, and conducted the paper alone until March, 



♦*-» 



■^r* 






JOHNSON COUNTY. 



3 1 9 



-r 



L887, when lie became associated with Mr. II. L. 
Cooper. Both are men of enterprise, and the Jour- 
nal is having a decided influence in the county, as 
the leading Democratic paper. 

Mr. Pool's home is presided over by a very es 
timable lady, Mrs. Frank L. (Foster) Pool, to 
whom he was married in Tecuraseh, April 25, 
1883. Mrs. Pool was born in Greencastle, Putnam 
Co., Ind., April 1. is.">7. and is the daughter of 
William L. Foster, a millwright by trade. From 
Indiana they came to tliis county-, in June of 1880, 
and are now residents of Tecumseh. Mrs. Pool 
was Deputy County Clerk of Benton County, Ind., 
for a period of tour years. 

Mrs. Pool received a g 1 education, and taught 

a district school in Indiana, while at the same time 
giving instruction in music. She has distinguished 
herself as a very capable and enterprising lady. and 
after coming to Tecumseh established a millinery 
store, which she conducted until her marriage. 
The maiden name of her mother was Addie Chit- 
tenden, and the parental household included three 
daughters, who are all living. 



HARLES M. WILSON, Postmaster of Te- 
cumseh. was appointed to this office by Presi- 
* dent Cleveland in April, 1886. Since that 
time he has served satisfactorily, conducting the 
office with good judgment and economy, and by 
his courteous treatment of all who have dealings 
with him, has gained in a marked degree their 
friendship and esteem. The post-Office at this 
point is ranked in the third class, and accordingly 
commands a salary. It is the largest post-office in 
the county, the gross receipts being upward of 
$4,000 annually, and having domestic and foreign 
money order departments. 

The subject of this biography was born in Dela- 
ware County. N. Y., Dec. 7, 1850. After emerg- 
ing from the common schools he became a student 
of the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin. N. 
Y., and subsequently occupied himself as a teacher. 
DpOD leaving his native State he located in Jersey 
County, 111., where he taught from the fall of 1876 
until the spring of 187?, then, crossing the Missis- 




sippi, took up his residence in Tecumseh. and was 
given the management of the business of the Chi- 
Lumber Company, with which he was con- 
nected until his appointment to his present position. 

It is hardly necessary to say that Mr. Wilson isa 
member of the Democratic party. He has Keen 
prominent in local affairs during nearly the whole 
time of his residence in this county, officiating as ■ 
member and President of the School Board, and as 
an Alderman in the City Council. Before Tecum- 
seh was transformed from a village into a city Mr. 
Wilson officiated as Town Clerk. 

The wedded life of our subject began on the 14th 
of February. 1883, when he was married to Mis- 
Dora Hunsberger. Mis. Wilson was horn in the 
city of Washington, 1). C, Dec. 29, 1857. Her 
father dying when she was an infant of six weeks, 
the mother removed to Ogle County, III., and 
passed away when her daughter was a little gill of 
seven years. She was then taken into the home of 
her maternal grandmother, where she remained until 
her marriage. In the meantime she had been given 
■a good education, especially in music, completing 
her Studies in connection with this art at Highland 
Park Institute, from which she was graduated in 
ls77. She was afterward a teacher of music until 
her marriage. This she prosecuted with line suc- 
cess, ami enjoyed an enviable reputation as a per- 
former on the piano ami a singer. To Mr. and 
.Mrs. Wilson there have been born three children: 
Margaret L.. Helen II. and Mary P., all of whom 
are living. 

The home of the Wilsons is situated in the north- 
ern part of the city, and in its surroundings indicates 
culture and ample means. Our subject, socially, 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias, of which he i> a 
prominent member, and has represented his lodge 
in the sessions of the Grand Lodge many different 
limes. lie is also Past Chancellor. 

Robert F. Wilson, the father of our subject, was 
bom in Delaware County. N. Y., where he carried 
on fanning, and dealt hugely in live stock for many 
years. He finally retired from active labor, and 
took up his residence in Cohoes, where his death 
occurred July .".. 1883, at the age of sixty-live 
years. 

The mother was in her girlhood Miss Polly A. 



4= 



320 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



*^H* 



Powell, a native of the same county as her husband, 
and they became the parents of six children, all of 

whom lived to mature years. She died while com- 
paratively a young woman, in October, 1866, aged 
about forty-three years. Both parents were mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. John Powell, the 
maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in 
1800, carried on farming the greater part of his 
life in Delaware County, and is still living, being 
hale and hearty, and now eighty-eight years old. 
His aged partner passed away three or four years 
since. John Wilson, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was of Scotch ancestry, and born in the 
North of Ireland. He crossed the Atlantic when a 
young man, engaged in farming during the greater 
part of his life, and in his declining years took up 
his residence with his son in Akron, Ohio, where he 
passed away about 1858, at the advanced age of 
ninety'. 



eb. A. BlKSEKUUJiK is cla: 
well-to-do, enterprising farn 
County, who have taken a 



•f 



V. A. BIESEMEIER is classed among the 

rmers of Johnson 
prominent part 

in developing its agricultural interests, and are 
among the most active in sustaining them. He has 
met with more than ordinary success in his chosen 
calling, as is attested by his large, well-improved 
farm in Sterling Precinct. He also has a further 
claim to distinction as a fine representative of the 
brave citizen-soldier, who, before attempting the 
pioneer task of evolving a farm from the wild West- 
ern prairies of the country, helped to put down the 
Rebellion that threatened her institutions. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Germany, 
April 11, 1842, and in 1849 he came to the United 
States with his parents, F. A. and Elizabeth (Win- 
ter) Biesemeier. They located in Warren County, 
Mo., where the father died of cholera in 1851. The 
mother died in LaFayette County, Mo., in 1881. 
He of whom we write was the third of the seven 
children born to his parents, and he grew to man- 
hood in Missouri, where we find him living at the 
breaking out of the war. In October, 1861, when 
lint nineteen years of age. he enlisted in Company 
I), 5th Iowa Cavalry, and with all the ardor and 
patriotism of a native-born citizen, went forth to 

"«• 



fight the battles of his adopted country. He served 
faithfully and efficiently until the close of the war, 
and took an active part in many heavy engage- 
ments. He was at Pulaski Gap, where his brother 
Christian fell mortally wounded by a shot through 
the liver, and died twenty-four days later. The 
company in which was our subject, followed the 
rebel General, Hood, to the Tennessee River, and 
then returned to Howard's Station, where they were 
badly whipped in the forenoon, but in the after- 
noon the tables were turned, and our subject and 
his comrades had the satisfaction of repaying the 
enemy in full coin. During that battle Mr. Biese- 
meier was fighting in a trench or washout, and was 
so absorbed in his occupation that he did not notice 
that his company, heavily pressed by the enemy, 
had suddenly been forced to retreat. When he 
discovered their absence he saw that his only 
safety lay in a hasty flight, and he promptly took to 
his heels, but finding that he was closely pursued 
by the enemy, he betook himself to a swamp of 
canebrakes, and hid until they had passed, when he 
crawled under a culvert and lay there until the 
rebels were again repulsed. He then rejoined the 
boys in blue on their return to the field, and helped 
to capture some prisoners. That battle lasted all 
day, and the Union soldiers pursued the Confed- 
erates for some days afterward. Our subject and 
his regiment were then ordered back to Murfrees- 
boro, where they were recruited and despatched 
with Sherman on his inarch to the sea as far as 
Iluntsville, Ala. From there they returned to the 
Cumberland River, and on the way they met a part 
of Hood's army at the Tallapoosa River, where their 
brigade was surrounded by the enemy, and at night 
cut its way out, and fell back to Franklin. From 
there our subject and his comrades were sent to take 
part in the second battle of Nashville. As they 
inarched onto the battle-field, the Second Lieutenant 
of Company L, which was just ahead of our sub- 
ject's company, was cut in two by a cannon ball, 
leaving the lower part of his body in the saddle. 
This ghastly sight checked the movement for a 
moment, but the men soon made a heavy charge on 
the enemy, but without much effect. This was the 
22d of December, 1868, and darkness coming on, 
the soldiers lay in a ditch through the night. On 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



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321 



f 



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the afternoon of the next day they charged the 
rebel works and took them. On the eve of the 23d, 
after Hood had been badly whipped, the Union boys 
were crossing a field where they had been fighting, 
and iu the darkness our subject and some of his com- 
rades fell into a ditch onto an abandoned cannon of 
the enemy, causing a chill which they will never 
forget. At Pulaski, Tenn., Mr. Biesemeier's com- 
pany took a prominent part in the heavy fight 
waged there, and took many prisoners, coming off 
victorious, although they had been hard pushed by 
the rebels in the forenoon. Thence they proceeded 
up the Tennessee River, but they subsequently 
marched back to Pulaski, and in March, 1804, our 
subject re-enlisted, taking a furlough of thirty-five 
days before reporting for service at Clinton, Iowa. 
His regiment was then actively engaged in a num- 
ber of raids on Savannah, Ga., where they antici- 
pated a fight, which, however, did not come off. 
They staid there until peace was declared, and our 
subject was honorably discharged, and returned to 
his old home in Missouri. While in the South he 
met with many hairbreadth escapes, and of one of 
these he relates that when encamped at Grand 
Springs, Miss., he was detailed to unload a boat of 
hay on the Tennessee River, and while in charge of 
those thus detailed, he attempted to get off a steam- 
boat onto a flat boat, made a misstep and plunged 
into the water, it being very dark, and he came 
very near being drowned. He had been benumbed 
by the cold before he fell into the water, and the 
boys dragged him out more dead than alive, and 
had to work vigorously to resuscitate; him, rolling 
him on a board to get the water out of his stomach. 
His clothes were frozen stiff, and the fall had ren- 
dered him unconscious. 

Soon after returning home Mr. Uiesemeier was 
united in marriage, Oct. 15, 1865, to Miss Justine 
Ivufusz. The happy bride and bridegroom imme- 
diately left Missouri and came to Johnson County, 
Neli., where they had resolved to build up a home, 
and they commenced their wedded life on their pres- 
ent farm. It was then a wild tract of prairie land, 
comprising ICO acres on sections 5 and 8, Sterling 
Precinct, which Mr. Uiesemeier took up under the 
provisions of the Homestead Act. There was then 
no house between here and the city, and our sub- 



ject and his wife have witnessed the greater part of 
the development of Johnson County, besides being 
important factors in promoting its growth. When 
they came here they had but $725 in money, but 
by their united exertions, wise economy, and 
shrewd management, have increased this many fold, 
and they now own one of the most valuable farms 
in the precinct. The farm now comprises 4-10 acres, 
which includes, besides the homestead (which is 
finely improved), 160 acres on the southeast quar- 
ter of section 31, township C, range 9, and 120 
acres on section 17, township 5, range 9. The farm 
is all fenced, is well watered, and stocked with cat- 
tle of good grades. 

In the attractive home that the}' have thus built 
up eight children have been born to our subject 
and his wife, six of whom are living. The family 
are highly respected in this neighborhood, and they 
are much valued members of the German Lutheran 
Church. Mr. Biesemeier is well dowered with firm- 
ness, activity and enterprise, and his genuine kind- 
ness of heart has given him a warm place in the 
hearts. of those who know him. In every depart- 
ment of life, as a husband, father, neighbor and 
citizen, he is the same upright, honest man, in 
whom all who know him place unlimited trust. 
He is an intelligent thinker, and has decided views 
on all subjects that come under his notice, par- 
ticularly in regard to politics, he being an earn- 
est Republican. 



-0-^t»^Q^^<- 




INCAN LIVINGSTON. Spring Creek 
Precinct numbers among its citizens nu- 
merous able and successful agriculturists, 
and among them, and by no means the least 
worthy of mention, is the subject of this notice, 
whose property, comprising 2,500 acres, is situated 
in Johnson. Otoe and Saunders Counties, Neb. That 
in Spring Creek is located on section 12, town- 
ship ft north, range 11 east. He was born in Ar- 
gyleshire, Scotland, on the 14th of March, 1825, 
and is the son of Duncan and Barbara (McAllister) 
Livingston. He is the fourth son of the family, 
and the eldest now living. His education, re- 
ceived in his native country, is of the usual Scot- 



4«- 



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322 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



^H* 



tish careful, thorough nature, and enables him 
to hold a front place among the intelligent citizens. 

Leaving his native country our subject emi- 
grated to America in December, 1849, taking pas- 
sage at Glasgow in the good ship "Warren," which 
landed him in January, 1850, at New York. The 
thought in his mind at the time was simply to make 
a more or less extended visit to these shores, but 
as it happened the visit was extended until it was 
decided to make it his home. In Scotland, when 
about seventeen years of age, he had begun to 
learn the trade of a blacksmith, and this lie contin- 
ued to follow here. From New York City he went 
to Norristown, Pa.,and found work. After some time 
he went to Louisville, Ky., thence to New Albany, 
[nd., and was employed in the railroad shops. This 
continued until 1852, when, while in the employ of 
the Louisville, New Albany A' Chicago Railroad 
Company, he was promoted to be foreman of the 
forging department, which position he held until 
1862. 

At the end of that period our subject went to 
Nashville, to take charge of the forging department 
of the shops of the Nashville & Chattanooga Rail- 
road, which he held a little over two years; at that 
time the road was under the control of flic United 
States Government. During that time he always 
had from l'<)() to 2-~> men at work under him. em- 
ployed in the construction of locomotives, which 
were made especially for the Government. In such 
work he was considered an expert, and turned out 
from the works some of the best engines ever used 
by the Government. 

The marriage of Mr. Livingston and Mary But- 
terfield was celebrated at New Albany, Ind., in 
April, 1854. His wife is a native of Yorkshire, 
England, and was born in September, 1835. She 
is the daughter of Henry and Susanna Butterfield, 
a well-known and much respected Yorkshire family. 
When she was about twelve years of age she ac- 
companied her parents to the United States, they 
settling in New Albany, Ind. Her father operated 
a carding-mill for a number of years, after which 
he located on a farm in Washington County, that 
State. This was their home for the remainder of 
life. To our subject have been born eight children; 
the following are yet living: Sarah Ann, the wife of 



Abijah Hubbard, of Otoe County, Neb. ; Henry. 
living in Helena Precinct, of this county ; Marion 
and Martha are at home. The deceased are as fol- 
lows: Neil, Barbara, Susanna and Daniel. 

While Superintendent at Nashville, and on the 
22d of September, 1865, Mr. Livingston was pre- 
sented by his men with a handsome gold watch and 
chain, suitably inscribed, a souvenir of the esteem 
in which he was held by them. This is still in the pos- 
session of the subject of this sketch, and is of course 
very greatly prized by him. April 7. 1866, while at 
Louisville. Ky.. he was presented by the men in his 
employ with a very handsome silver medal, a token 
Of their confidence and regard. This is not without 
its significance in these days of labor troubles ami 
difficulties between man and master. He has been 
in the employ of several companies for twenty-live 
years, and never was in a strike during that lime, 
and never asked for a raise of wanes, but was ad- 
vanced from fifty cents to $5 per day. 

In leaving the railroad shops in 1865 our subject 
went to Louisville, Ky.. and started a new shop for 
his company for the manufacture of iron railroad 
bridges, then went to New Albany anil engaged in 
mercantile business for two years. After having 
made a trip to Nebraska, looking over the country, 
he finally purchased a large quantity of land in 
this county, to which he brought his family in 1867. 
After living a short time in Otoe County, early in 
1868 they took up their residence on their present 
farm, and have continued on the same continuously 
from that, time. 

Mr. Livingston owns 2,500 acres of laud, 1,800 
of which are in this county, the remainder in Otoe 
and Saunders Counties. It will be understood that 
the above-mentioned purchase included only wild 
land. He immediately set about the cultivation of 
the home farm, and has some 2,000 acres in a very 
high state of productiveness. In connection with 
lils grain and general farming he is quite a success- 
ful raiser of cattle, and is now the owner of a num- 
ber of very line animals, and he believes that he 
has the largest steer in the United States ; the ani- 
mal is named Livingston's Nebraska Baby. 

Mr. and Mrs. Livingston ale active members and 
able supporters of the Presbyterian Church, and take 
a deep interest in tilings pertaining thereto. They 



*f 



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4 



«•■ 



.IOIINSON COUNTY. 



323 



move in the elite circles of local society, ami are 

greatly esteemed in the community. In civic and 
political affairs our subject is in strict accord with 
the principles of the Republican party, and usually 
votes its ticket. The aim of their lives seems to 
have been to leave the world hotter than they found 
it, and to follow strictly the excellent teaching of 
the chief commandment. 

_^_ _^^ V- 



ft AMES A. LAWRKNCE. The subject of this 
sketch occupies a prominent position among 
the pioneer element of Johnson County, to 

which he came when a large portion of its 
territory lay untouched by the plowshare, lie has 
watcher! the growth and development of one of the 
most prosperous States in the Union with that keen 
interest felt by every true-hearted citizen concern- 
ing a section of country which has become his 
adopted home. A native of the Empire State, Mr. 
Lawrence wis horn in Weslport, Essex County, 
Nov. 29, 1842, and although his experiences have 
been many and varied, hi' is still far from being an 
aged man. and has vet many years before him to 
complete the sum of his usefulness as one of the 
most valued citizens of the county. 

Our subject is of New England ancestry, his 
father. Wait Lawrence, having been born in Tor- 
rington, Conn., in 1798. The latter continued in 
his native State until a lad of fourteen years, then 
with his parents removed to Salisbury. Vt., and soon 
afterward enlisted as a drummer boy during the 
War of 1812. After this conflict had ended, he 
took up his residence in Essex County, N. Y., where 
his death took place in 187s, after he had reached 
his fourscore years. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, accumulated some property, and was a leading 
member in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The mother of our subject, Mrs. Anna (Audrus) 
Lawrence, was born in Hancock. Yt.. near the foot 
of the (Jreen Mountains, and by her marriage with 
Wait Lawrence became the mother of nine chil- 
dren, three sons and six daughters, all of whom 
lived to mature years. Her father, William Au- 
drus, was a farmer and shoemaker by occupation, 
and spent his last years in the Green Mountain State. 

-*. 



Mrs. Lawrence survived her husband until 1884, 
remaining a widow and passing her last days in the 
city of Troy, N. Y., at the home of her daughter. 

The subject of this sketch received a good edu- 
cation considering the circumstances by which he 
was surrounded, and his limited attendance at 
school. At an early age he became acquainted with 
the various details of farm life, and was mostly oc- 
cupied as a tiller of the soil until after the outbreak 
of the Civil War. On the Kith of September, 1861, 
he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company A, 77th 
New York Infantry, which was assigned to the Army 
of the Potomac. He participated in twenty-three 
engagements with the enemy, and in the battle of 
Petersburg, Va., .Line 21,1 MI I, suffered the loss of 
one of his limbs above the knee. He was conveyed 
to Stanton Hospital in the city of Washington, I). 
C, where he was confined until November 24 fol- 
lowing, when he was mustered out with his regi- 
ment, at the expiration of their time of enlistment, 
the 13th of December, 1st; I. Our subject, maimed 
for life, now returned to his old home in Kssex 
County, X. V., and thence removed in April of the 
following year to Washington County. Ohio. From 
1865 to 1870 he was employed in a woolen factory 
at Lowell, Ohio. After a residence of nine years 
in the Buckeye State, he crossed the Mississippi, 
and hoinesteaded a tract of unimproved land in 
Dawson County, this State. Here he put out 
trees, battled with grasshoppers and drouth, and 
came off victorious, and in the spring of 1*77 sold 
a finely improved farm for a snug sum of money. 
The latter he invested in land near the city of Te- 
cumseh, this county. He is now the owner of one 
of the finest estates in Nemaha Precinct, including 
besides his farm property a handsome home on 
Clay street, besides lots and houses elsewhere in the 
city. 

Mr. Lawrence has been prominent in local affairs, 
representing his ward in the City Council, serving 
on the Board of Education, and as Assessor of 
Nemaha Precinct for the last four years. As an ex- 
soldier he is a member in good standing and ex- 
Commander of Post No. 270, in the G. A. R., of 
Tecumseh. Socially, he belongs to the I. (). O. F., 
and religiously, is a member and Trustee of the 
Presbyterian Church. His business talent.-, and hi; 



:*=*- 



•i 



324 



'■f^L** 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



~f 



high character as a member of the community have 
secured for him the good-will and friendship of his 
fellow-citizens, who speak of him in the highest 
terms. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
our subject was his marriage with Miss Mary Mar- 
shall, which occurred April 1, 1866, in Lowell, 
Ohio. Of this union there were born three chil- 
dren, all of whom are living. Frank is engaged in 
mercantile pursuits at Falls City, this State; Will- 
iam is a printer by trade, and located in David 
City, and James is at home with his father. These 
boys have been given a good education, and are 
wide-awake and promising young men. Mrs. Mary 
(Marshall) Lawrence died while still a young 
woman, at her home in Dawson, Neb., in 1875. 

Mr. Lawrence, on the 28th of October, 1876, con- 
tracted a second matrimonial alliance, with Miss 
Sarah Otis, at that time a resident of Lowell, Ohio. 
This lady was born in Marietta, that State, March 
7, 1840, and is the daughter of Stephen and Sarah 
(l)yar) Otis, who have long since passed away. 
The father died about 1868, at the advanced age of 
eighty-four years, in Ohio; the mother died in this 
State. Of this union there has been born one child, 
a son, Harry <L, Feb. 28, 1878. 

\ FN J AM IN F. DRAKE, who is one of the 
prosperous farmers of to-day, and also one 
*' of the early settlers and pioneers of the 
count}', is the owner of 215 acres of well- 
improved and highly cultivated land on section 11 
of Todd Creek Precinct. Our subject was born in 
Warren County, Ohio, on the 30th of December, 
1836, and there made his home until 1859. In the 
schools of the district he received a practical En- 
glish education, such as would be eminently useful 
in matters of everyday concern in life, although 
perhaps not so all-embracing as that of others, who, 
having time and opportunity, have sat in academic 
or collegiate halls. 

Leaving school, Mr. Drake started to learn the 
trade of a cooper, and followed the same from the 
time he was sixteen until he was twenty-six years 
of age, then enlisted in the defense of the Union. 
«■ 




This was in September, 1863, and he joined the 
16th Indiana Battalion of Light Artillery. He 
served in the Army of the Potomac, and was at 
the defense of Washington. After a service of 
nine months he was mustered out, in July, 1865, 
under a general order that dissolved the entire 
military organization. 

Returning to his wife and family, who during 
the period of his service had been at LaFayette, 
Ind., Mr. Drake went to Louisville, Ky., and thence 
came to this State, and took up his farm. He 
now has six acres of fruit planted, and twenty-five 
acres of natural forest trees, that he has since pur- 
chased, and has his whole farm enclosed with hedge 
and wire fence. His home, which he built in 1880, 
is one of the pleasant farm dwellings in the count}'. 
I T is barns, cattle sheds, stables, etc., are also suita- 
ble in construction and adapted to his requirements. 
He owns large numbers of cattle, hogs and horses. 

The subject of our sketch was married to Miss 
Lizzie Poyner, of .Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio, on 
the 1st of April, 1863, and there have been born 
of the union three children, of whom one only is 
now living, Frol, who is now eighteen years of age. 
The wife of our subject was born in Middletown, 
Butler Co., Ohio, on the 25th of June, 1843, to 
Silas and Mary (Wade) Poyner. She continued 
to live with her parents, and was educated in the 
schools of her native place. Her father was born 
in North Carolina, but left the State on account of 
its slavery, with which he had no sympathy, and 
which was entirely opposed to his principles. His 
family numbered twelve children, whom it was his 
privilege to see making their way toward honora- 
ble and useful careers. He died in Ohio, in 1857, 
and was survived by his wife until 1867. 

Abner Drake, the father of our subject, was born 
in New Jersey, in December, 1803, but when two 
years of age was taken to Kentucky by his par- 
ents, who shortly afterward went to Cincinnati, 
and later to Warren County, Ohio, where he was 
reared to manhood, and subsequently married Miss 
Densie Ingersoll, who presented him with two chil- 
dren, their daughter Emma and the subject of our 
sketch. By occupation Mr. Drake was a cooper, 
and continued working at his trade wherever he 
found the most profitable employment, which ac- 




&.*z. 




*► II +• 




JOHNSON COUNTY. 



327 



r^ 



counted for the numerous removals made by the 
family. After some years in Ohio lie removed to 
Madison, Ind., and later to Memphis, where lie was 
living at the time of his death, which occurred on 
the 5th of Oetober, 1886, he being at the time 
eighty-three years of age. His wife had passed to 
her long home in the year 1839. 

The grandfather of our subject, Benjamin F. 
Drake, was a native of New York, and removed 
from State to State as noticed above. He lived in 
Warren County. Ohio, from the time of his re- 
moval from Cincinnati until his death. He was by 
occupation a shoemaker, hut linked therewith agri- 
culture, in which he was quite successful. The 
maiden name of his wife, whom he met and mar- 
ried before leaving the East, was Miss Dry Smith. 
Their family included five children, whom it was 
their privilege to bring to mature years. His 
death occurred in 1844, when he had arrived at the 
advanced ageof sixty-five years. He was survived 
by his wife until the year 1858. 



RANK A. REDFIELD. One of the mosl 



(g& respected and popular citizens of Crab 
Orchard i> the gentleman whose history is 
herein briefly recited, He is a native of the Empire 
State, and was horn at Avon, Livingston County, 
Nov. 25, 1834. His father, Hiram Redfield, was 
a native of Vermont, but spent the greater part of 
his life in the State of New York. His death oc- 
curred in Fremont County. Iowa, in the year ls7.~>. 
The education of our subject was received in the 

COmmOIl schools of his native count V. supplemented 

by a course in Eastman's Commercial College, in 

Rochester. X. V., from which institution he was 
graduated in the year 1855. The following year he 
went to Peoria County. 111., ami made his home in 
Klmwood. where he began farming, continuing 
therein with much prosperity until the outbreak of 
the war. 

In response to the call to arms .Mr. Redfield en- 
listed in Company 1.77th Illinois Infant rv, for a 
period of three years. lie was an enthusiastic 
patriot, and went forward to the execution of his 
duty inspired by his love for the Union and the ''old 




Hag." lie was present and participated in the bat- 
tles of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Ft. Gibson, Cham- 
pion Hills, and Black River Bridge — the three lat- 
ter being fought, within a few days of each other, in 
May. 1863. In the July following occurred the siege 
and capture of Jackson. Miss., in which he took 
part. lie was present also at Spanish Fort. Mobile, 
and in a number of other engagements. 

Upon receiving an honorable discharge our sub- 
ject returned to Elmwood, and was employed as 
clerk ill the store and post-office of that place, con- 
tinuing until the spring of 1868, when he went to 
Hamburg. Iowa. In the fall .of the same year he 
returned to Illinois, and after about one year went, 
back to Iowa. In the spring of 1871 hi' came to 
this county, settling in Western Precinct, where he 
purchased a farm, carrying on the same until 1885, 
when he removed to Crab Orchard and engaged in 
mercantile pursuits. This he has continued from 
that time with an ever-increasing patronage born 
of the confidence of the community in him as a man 
ami merchant. He carries a full line 'of groceries, 
boots and shoes, furnishing goods, notions, glass- 
ware, etc. 

The marriage of our subject was celebrated at 
Knoxville. III., on the Ith of February. 1858, when 
he was joined in wedlock with Mary E. Aldrich, 
daughter of the late Jamiii Aldrich. who died in Ap- 
panoose, III.. Feb.:;. 1837. There have been born to 
them two children, viz: Lucien II.. June 10, 1859, 
and William C. Dec. 30, I860. The former is mar- 
ried to Alice M. Worley, and the latter is the hus- 
band of Mary E. Barrett. Both sons reside upon 
the farm, which comprises 320 acres. 

Mr. ami Mrs. Redfield were members of the Con- 
gregational Church, but as that communion has no 
church in Crab Orchard they have united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. They move in the 
best society of the vicinity, and are everywhere 
mosl cordially accorded the heartiest respect and 
esteem. Their beautiful home is the center of an 
exceedingly pleasant social circle, and its rooms are 
not infrequently the scene of felicitous festivities. 
They are liberal supporters of the church with 
which they are alliiliated. and of every enterprise 
of a charitable nature. Our Subject is a Stanch 

Republican, having affiliated with that party from 



JU 



328 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4 



the first day of his citizenship. Socially, he is con- 
nected with the G. A. R., and is a member of the 
local post, and by reason of his war experience is 
.-in enthusiastic member of thai organization of 
heroes and veterans. 

A portrait of this well-known and highly re- 
pected merchant and brave veteran appears on an 
adjoining page. 



/*^)EORGE W. IDEN.a well-known and highly 
(ll <=7 honored citizen of Johnson County, with 
^^5) whose agricultural interests he has been 
closely identified fur nearly twenty years, is classed 
among the pioneers of Nebraska, although not one of 
its earliest settlers, lie and his wife coming here 
immediately after their marriage to begin their 
wedded life here and establish a home, preceding 
the advent of railways and when there were no 
markets, towns, schools or churches, except in a few 
Localities, have witnessed the great strides their 
adopted State has made in its almost unprecedented 
development. And not only that, they have borne 
an honorable part in promoting its growth, and 
their labors have been amply rewarded by one of 
the finest farms in Sterling Township, where they 
live in a pleasant, cozy home. 

The grandparents of our subject, George and 
Matilda [den, were natives of Virginia. They 
crossed the Alleghany range on their way Wes1 
between the years 1812 and 1815, and settled in 
Carroll County, Ohio, of which they thus became 
pioneers. For fifty years after that event it was 
thought that they were the only family of the 
name west of the mountains, hut more recently 
others of the name have been heard of who are 
doubtless distantly related. -They bought land in 
the woods, and, not unlike thousands of others, be- 
gan the labor of making a farm. It may have 
been fortunate for them that they were thus obliged 
to wrestle with stern nature for a livelihood, thus 
developing fortitude, hardihood and self-reliance; 
but not many of the young married people of to- 
day will ever know only by tradition the labor. 
patience and endurance required to successfully en- 
counter the hardships and privations incident to 



pioneer life in a timbered country. It was on that 
farm that those people lived and in the fullness of 
years finally died. It was there that they reared a 
large family of six boys and four girls. Washing- 
ton Men. their oldest son. was bom on the old 
homestead in 1815. A few miles distant from his 
early home lived the family of Mr. and Mrs. lies- 
ton, also pioneers of like experience with his par- 
ents, and they reared a family of six boys and 
seven girls. In 1820 a daughter was born to them, 
whom they named Eliza. Washington Iden and 
Eliza Ileston grew to manhood and womanhood in 
the same neighborhood, and after a courtship prob- 
ably somewhat suited to those times, were married 
in 1837. These constituted the parents of our sub- 
ject. Their first venture was to procure a Id-acre 
tract of land in the woods and to proceed at once 
to the arduous task of clearing it and making a 
home. They aiso were the parents of a large fam- 
ily, seven boys and four girls, nine of whom are 
still living, having been born of their union. It 
was on their farm in the primeval forests of Car- 
roll County. Ohio, that their second son. of whom 
we write, was born on tin- 11th of October, 1840, 
and name! by them George W. His parents con- 
tined to reside on their homestead in Ohio until 
1864, when they migrated to Kosciusko County, 
hid., where they now reside at an advanced age on 
a fine, well-improved farm, surrounded by all their 
surviving children, except George W. and Thomas 
.1., who are citizens of Nebraska. 

The boyhood days of our subject were passed on 
a farm, and though he is still in the prime of life 
and 1 1 i r- native State has been settled for over half a 
century, yet when he was young it was still under 
the dominion of the pioneer, and he early learned to 
know what grubbing stumps, picking stone and 
brush, and rolling logs meant. He was an earnest. 
thoughtful lad, loving his books, and greatly de- 
sirous of obtaining an education. His opportuni- 
ties were, however, limited to attending the public 
schools three months during the winters and a 
few months at an academy. Being of poor par- 
ents ami ambitious of entering the professions, he 
taught school at the age of eighteen to gain the 
wherewithal to gratify his ambitions, teaching dur- 
ing the winters and working (luring the harvests 



T 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



^11 «* 



329 , \ 



to procure means to enter college. His educational 
and professional schemes were sadly interfered 
with when the Confederate cannon were discharged 
at the Nation's banner on Ft. Sumter, and on the 
Ith (if June, 1861, not then twenty-one years of 
aye. under the first eall for three-years troops, lie 
marched into Camp Chase. Ohio, to offer Ids sen - 
ices to defend his country's honor, and il was 
not until after the L8th of June, 1866, that he was 
mustered out. making a continuous service of five 
years and fourteen days. During those trying days 
his valor, patriotism, fortitude and ability were 
proved in many a hard-fought battle, and he lias a 
distinguished military record as a soldier, and later 
as an officer, receiving promotion not through the 
influence of others, but purely on account of his 
competence. He was a member of the 25th Ohio 
Infantry, and belonged to Company A until May. 
1865, when he received a commission as Lieutenant 
and was assigned to Company E. During his long- 
term of service he was always in good health, always 
with his regiment to the front, thus giving him an 
opportunity to participate in a score of hotly con- 
tested engagements, in which he was often slightly 
wounded hut never wholly disabled. The 25th ( >hio 
was ordered to West Virginia and endured much 
loss through exposure in many campaigns in that 
rough, mountainous country, taking an active part 
in the battles of Cheat Mountain. Greenbriar, Al- 
legheny Summit, .Monterey. Huntersville, McDow- 
ell and Cross Keys. It was then transferred to 
l'ope's army and sustained a heavy loss in the un- 
equal and disastrous battle of the second Bull 
Run. There our subject was made a prisoner, 
taken to Richmond, passed bul one night in Libby 
Prison and hut a few days on Belle Isle, was soon 
paroled, sooner exchanged, and ordered to his 
regiment, which he joined in the morning al Cen- 
treville. Va.. where it had been encamped since the 
battle of Bull Run. Marly the next morning Mr. 
[den and his fellow-soldiers started on another ex- 
pedition, and having been assigned to the Potomac 
Army, his regiment joined it at Fredericksburg one 
day after the defeat of liurnside in December, 1 862. 
Our subject took part in the campaign and battle of 
Chancellorsviile, under Gen. Howard, whose corps. 
the 11 t,h, sustained the slunk of the grand flank 



movement of the Confederate chieftain, Gen. Jack- 
son. The historical campaign and battle of Get- 
tysburg soon followed, during the first day of 
which the division in which our subject marched, 
Gen. Barlow's, was almost destroyed, the colors 
of the 25th Ohio changing hands seven times. On 
the 5th of July, when his regiment was formed to 
go in pursuit of Gen. Lee. but sixty-eight were in 
the ranks, commanded by a Second Lieutenant. Mr. 
Iden was Orderly Sergeant of the regiment, an un- 
usual position in military organizations. The next 
move and last transfer of our subject's company 
was to the department of South Carolina, where he 
took part in tile seige of Ft. Wagner and all the 
operations in front of Charleston. Mr. Iden veter- 
anized Jan. 1, 1864, and remained in the department 
just referred to until the close of the war, engag- 
ing in many raids and severe encounters with the 
enemy. lie carried a rifle to the end of the strug- 
gle, and in May, 1865, was made a Lieutenant, and 
was soon assigned to duty in Columbia, S. C by 
order of Gen. sickles, as Provost Judge of what was 
called a "Superior Provost Court." This court was 
established for the settlement of many eases that 
needed early attention after the collapse of Confeder- 
ate law and authority. Our subject was also for a 
short time ordnance officer on the staff of Gen. 
Ames, who afterward achieved notoriety as Gov- 
ernor of Mississippi during reconstruction days. 
The last duty TO which Mr. Iden was assigned pre- 
vious to being mustered out was that of Acting 
Assistant Adjutant General, under Brevet Briga- 
dier General N. Hanghton, who was in command 
of a district, with headquarters at Columbia, S. C. 
It is needless to say that in these various responsi- 
sible and onerous offices our subject acquitted him- 
self with honor and proved to be an invaluable 
officer, whose sci vices were highly appreciated by 
his superiors in command. 

After leaving the army in 1866 Mr. Iden passed 
three years in Indiana quietly engaged in teaching 
and farm labor. On the 11th of November, 1869, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Disher, 
and they moved at once to their present farm in 
Nebraska, where they have ever since lived. Mr. 
Iden has been very successfully engaged in agri- 
culture, and has his farm, whose soil is rich and 



•^t-S: 



i 



*•■ 



330 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



productive, under good improvement, well supplied 
with neat and tasty buildings and all the conven- 
iences for carrying on farming to a good advan- 
tage. The married life of our subject and his wife 
has been exceedingly pleasant, and to them have 
been born two children, one of whom died in in- 
fancy. Their daughter Zella is in her fifteenth year. 
Mrs. Idea's parents and grandparents were natives 
of Kentucky, but she was bom in Whitewater, Ind. 
Her parents and brothers are now living near Bour- 
bon, Marshall Co., Ind. 

Mr. Iden is endowed with a vigorous, well-culti- 
vated intellect, and a deep tender nature, and he 
holds strong and sensible convictions on all sub- 
jects of general interest. He is a quiet, unassum- 
ing man, careful and considerate in his dealings 

with others, and 1 e know him but to respect and 

esteem him. We learn from his fellow-citizens in 
this county that he has frequently been urged to 
accept legislative honors and other positions of trust 
and responsibility, but that he has positively de- 
clined office, preferring the quiet home life of the 
farm to the turmoils and attendant discords of the 
political arena. 



-£, ILAS L. BROWN, oneof the representative 
citizens of Tecumseh, and resident on Web- 




*t 



ster and Tenth streets, is the son of Horace 
Brown, a native of the Keystone State, 
where he was born in the year 1820, and continued 
to make his home for about thirty years. In 1850 
he went West to Illinois, settling near Decatur, 
where he followed his trade, which was that of a 
shoemaker. He received the hand of Mary A. 
Bradley, of Warren County, Ohio, in marriage, in 
the year 184G. Their union was consummated by 
the birth of six children, of whom three survived to 
mature years. 

Horace Brown enlisted in Company F, 14th Illi- 
nois Infantry, and was in the Army of the Pol*)- 
mac. He was taken prisoner at Atlanta while on 
the historic march to the sea. He was thrown into 
Andersonville Prison, and succumbed to the hor- 
rors of that plaee. Captured in the month of Oc- 
tober, he had passed beyond the reach of the hatred 



and cruelty of man, and was at rest before the 
spring again exerted its power on the earth. The 
family could only get the number of the grave 
where he was laid. His wife had died in the spring 
of 1861, when only thirty-two years of age, when 
the husband and father with four children were liv- 
ing, our subject being the second child. 

Silas L. Brown, our subject, was born in Mercer 
Count}-, Pa., on the 3d of October, 1848. For two 
years alter this event the family continued to re- 
side there, but at the end of that period migrated 
to Illinois. He remained at home until 18G1, in 
which year the mother was removed by death, and 
shortly after he started and began life for himself. 
He found employment upon a farm, and continued 
thereon until 1879, when he sold out and came to 
this State. Here he for the greater part of the time 
worked as a carpenter. For live years he has had 
complete charge of the main and High School build- 
ings, at the same time working at his trade. For 
two years he filled the office of Street Commissioner, 
and was very diligent and thorough in the execu- 
tion of his duty. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah C. 
Watts, of Lovington, 111., was celebrated on the 
29th of December. 1872. They have become the 
parents of six children, who are all living; their 
names are recorded a> follows: John II., Walter L., 
Lily V., Joe I)., Ida .May and Elmer E. They are 
all receiving the best educational advantages to be 
obtained in the city, and manifest a disposition and 
aptitude that are most promising. Mrs. Brown was 
horn on the 1 5th of September, 1850, atSalina, Lan- 
caster Co., Pa., and is a daughter of John and Sarah 
(Stackhouse) Watts. She went with her parents to 
Illinois in 187o, and continued to make her home 
with them until her marriage. Mr. John Watts, 
father-in-law of our subject, is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and continued to reside in his native 
county until going to the State of Illinois, where 
he still resides. By trade he is a cooper, and fol- 
lowed the same while a resident in the East, but in 
Illinois he has followed agricultural pursuits. His 
wife died in March, 18S4. aged fifty-four years. 

The grandfather of our subject, Silas Brown, was 
born in Mercer County, Pa., about 1785. He made 
his home there for the greater part of his life, fol- 



•+Zf*+ 



-^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



331 



lowing agricultural pursuits, and holding a verj 
high place in the esteem of the community at large. 
In the subject of this sketch there are reproduced 
many of the virtues and family characteristics of 
this worthy citizen, and like him also, he is by them 
so commended to the community as to enjoy its 
unqualified esteem. 



;h-A I* s - DESIRE J. KING, widow of the late 
( Horace King, properly speaking holds a 




-f 



place in the community as a farmer, be- 
ing the owner and director of an exceed- 
ingly line farm of 127 acres on section 6 of 
Todd Creek Precinct. Her first introduction to 
the State was in January, 1881, when, with her hus- 
band, she left Illinois, and coming by way of Lin- 
coln settled upon the place she still occupies, their 
son William L. (see sketch) having previously 
purchased it for them. It was at the time partly 
improved, but had to be supplied with a house be- 
fore it could he settled upon. 

(in the Kith of September, 1885, .Mrs. King's hus- 
band died, and although until then unused to the 
management of such affairs, sin- bravely took hold of 
the farm and continued as her husband had begun. 
She chiefly runs a stock farm, never feeding less 
than ten t<> twelve head of cattle and twenty-Sve 
to thirty of hogs per year. 

The subject of our sketch was for many years a 
member of the Free Methodist Church ivhile living 
in the East, but since being here, there being no or- 
ganization of that body she has become attached to 
the Free-Will Baptists, aud attends the church near 
her residence, in which she is highly regarded as 
one of the generous supporters and consistent 
members. 

.Mrs. King was born in Columbia Count} - , N. Y., 
on the 16th of February, 1818, and there lived un- 
til after her marriage. She is the daughter of Asa 
Burton, of Columbia County, N. Y. She received 
the best education within the [lower of her parents 
to provide, and was very carefully trained by her 
parents in the home. Her father was born in the 
same county and always lived there. The maiden 
name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was 



Abigail Wright. They were the parent.-, of four 
children, all of whom attained to mature years, 
their daughter Desire being the youngest. Her 
father died when she was about two years of age; 
her mother continued to live at the old home until 
after the marriage of our subject; she then made 
her home with her daughter until her death, which 
occurred m Niagara, N. Y., on the 16 th of January, 
1855, when she was sixty-three years of age. 

Columbia County, N. V.. was also the native 
county of Mr. Horace King, lie was born on the 
24th of April, 1811, and continued to make his 
home there until after bis marriage, when he moved 
to Niagara County and followed agricultural pur- 
suits until March, 1868, then, with his family of 
three children, removed to Henry County, III., and 
there was extensively engaged as a farmer. He was 
a man fond of his home, of his business and his 
family, but did not take a leading part in political 
affairs, although always ready and anxious to do his 
duty as a citizen, usually voting with the Repub- 
lican party. He was a man of line character, abil- 
ity and enterprise, successful as a farmer and much 
esteemed by all who knew him. He was a devout 
member of the Free Methodist Church, connected 
therewith for many years. He hail the reputation 
of being linn, thoroughly honest in every business 
transaction, and most reliably a man of his word. 

Mr. and Mrs. King were the parents of live chil- 
dren, three of whom are still living, viz: William 
L., Charles L. and Edward F. (sketches (if the two 
latter are presented elsewhere in this volume). Ed- 
ward F. was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Whilholland, of Illinois, in June, 18G7 ;they became 
the parents of three children, all of whom are liv- 
ing and whose names are as follows: Willia A., 
Sarah Anna and Mary Jane, the eldest and young- 
est with our subject. His wife dying in 1874, he 
subsequently became the husband of Miss Anna 
Osmond, of Galva, 111., who has presented him with 
four children, who bear the following names: 
Alice E., Mabel 6., George M. and Emma. He is 
interested in land in Colorado and has been in that 
State about eighteen months. He also ownsagood 
farm in Todd Creek Precinct, and is shortly ex- 
pected to return to it. 

Amos King, the lather of Horace, was a native 




*-ll^ 



4- 



332 



JOHNSON COUNTY, 



of Massachusetts, and was born in the year 17oG. 
He settler) in Columbia County, N. Y., shortly after 
the close of the Revolutionary War, through which 
struggle he had passed, bearing arms in defense of 
his country, entering the ranks when about sixteen 
years old. His first wife died after a very brief 
married life, and be was subsequently married to a 
Miss Bassett, of New York, who presented him with 
nine children. Horace King was the youngest of 
the nine children, seven of whom came to years of 
maturity. By his first marriage there had been six 
children born. 

The father of our subject, Isaac Burton, was born 
in Massachusetts and there lived until he attained 
to years of manhood. When a young man he set- 
tled in Columbia County, N. Y., and cleared for 
himself a farm in the vicinity of the King home- 
stead. This of course happened al a time when the 
Far West was an unknown district, and when the 
frontier was not far removed from the Atlantic. 
He was married and continued to live in the county 
and became the head of a considerable family. 
His first wife dying, he was married a second time, 
and two other children were added to the home 
circle. Religiously, he was a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and filled the office of Deacon 
for many years. 



*** 



-; 



SRAEL CARMAN, a well-known resident of 
Sluing Creek Precinct, and numbered among 
Its its representative farmers and stock-raisers, a 
gentleman in the prime of life, and the midst of his 
usefulness, operates a good farm on section 30, to 
which he came in February, 1866, and which em- 
braces .'!.")(! acres of well-improved land. He has a 
substantial dwelling, with suitable barns and out- 
houses, and his homestead presents a peaceful pict- 
ure of quiet country life, which is very pleasant to 
contemplate. 

Our subject was born in Mason County, 111.; 
June 22, 1844, and is the son of Hon. Alfred A. 
and Elizabeth (Wheelock) Carman, a sketch of 
whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He was 
reared in his native county, and received his edu- 
cation in its common schools, which at that day 



'afforded a wide contrast to the educational system 
of the present day. Upon the outbreak of the 
Civil War young Carman, then a little over seven- 
teen years of age, enlisted, in December, 1861, 
in Company K, 33d Illinois Infantry, being :is- 
signed with his regiment to the Army of .Mis- 
souri, and operating mostly in the Southwest and 
the State of Missouri until the spring of 1863, 
when they were transferred to the Department 
of the Mississippi. In the fall of that year they 
were transferred to the Department of the Gulf, 
with which division of the army they remained im- 
until the spring of 1865, then returned to the De- 
partment of the Mississippi. Young Carman fought 
with his comrades at the battles of Port G-ibson 
and Jackson. Miss.. Champion Hills, the siege of 
Vicksburg, Black River Bridge, Ft. Esperanza, the 
siege of Mobile, and in numerous other minor en- 
gagements and skirmishes, until the close of the 
war. Some months after the surrender of Gen. 
Lee he was mustered out. Nov. 21. 1 *(!.">. and re- 
ceived his honorable discharge. 

In thi' meantime the parents of our subject had 
moved to Nebraska, and taking in his old home on 
the way thither Israel soon joined them, being ac- 
accompanied from Mason County by his father. 
The latter, in January, lHOti. had returned to Illi- 
nois to take care of a crop of corn, and the father 
and son made the journey to Nebraska in a wagon, 
arriving in this county the latter part of the 
month. 

The marriage of Israel Carman and Miss Mary 
Allen was celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Spring (feck. Dec. 17. 1868. Mrs. Carman was 
born in Columbia County, Wis., March 31, 1848, 
and is the daughter of Alson and Catherine (Dolan) 
Allen, who were natives of Vermont and England 
respectively, and are now residents of Tecumseh, 
this State. They came to this county in June. 
1867, :ind were among its earliest settlers, locating 
in Lincoln Precinct, the father being now seventy 
years of age, and the mother sixty-six. Mr. Allen 
has been a farmer all his life, but the parents are 
now retired from active labor, and surrounded by 
life's comforts are enjoying in their declining years 
the fruits of their early toil and sacrifice. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Carman there was born one 



+ JI « ' 



« ► w f~* » 



.IOIINS0N COUNTY. 



333 



f 



child only, a son, Orvil, Sept. 13, 1869. They have 
labored band in hand in the building np of their 
homestead, our subject admitting that his estimable 
wife has been a most efficient assistant and help- 
mate in his struggles for not only a livelihood, but 
a competence. They have gathered around them 
many friends during their long' sojourn in Ne- 
braska, and their roof has been a hospitable shelter 
from whom none are ever turned empty away. Mr. 
Carman, politically, is a stanch Republican. He 
has served as School Director ill his district a 
number of years, and socially, belongs to the (I. A. 
R., Roberts Tost No. 104, at Talmage. .Mrs. Car- 
man is a member of the Baptist Church. 

The mother of Mrs. Carman came to America 
with her mother and stepfather when eleven years 
old, and lived with them ill Canada until a maiden 
Of sixteen. They then came to the Slates, and set- 
tled first in Ohio, removing later to Adams County, 
III. Mrs. Allen is also a member of the Baptist 
Church, and politically. Mr. Allen is a Democrat. 



* £*-§»• * 



D WARD COOK, of Spring Creek Precinct, 
is) is a gentleman held in due respect by the 
==g^ people of his community, and is pursuing 



the even tenor of his way at a pleasant homestead 
on section II. lie was horn in Racine County, 
Wis., Oct. 5, ISIS, and is the son of Andrew and 
Hannah (Clulow) Cook, the former of whom died 
at her home in Tecninseh, in July, 1878, Further 
particulars of the family history are given under 
the name of our subject's father, Andrew ( look, on 
another page in this volume. AndrewCook spent 
his boyhood and youth in England. After his first 
marriage he came to America, and coming directlj 
West settled ill Racine County. Wis., where he 
lived until 1858, and then with his family came to 
Nebraska, lie settled lirst in Otoe County, but 
several years later came to Helena Precinct, this 
county, securing a tract of land on section 10. The 
family resided in that locality several years, anil 
about 1S72 the father took up his abode with his 
wife iii Tecumseh, where he is still living, and 
where, until the spring of 1886, he was engaged in 
business. He has been married three times. < )f his 

-4» 



first union, with Miss Clulow, t here were horn 
seven children, namely: John W.. Charles ('., 
Edward, Andrew. .lames W.: Elizabeth, the wife of 
Donald McCuaig. of Nebraska City, and Lucy J., 
Mrs. Samuel II. Fullerton, of Atchison, Kan. Mr. 
Cook, during the more active years of his life, was 
a man prominent in local affairs, and among other 
offices of trust he was a Commissioner of Johnson 
County, and Justice of the Peace. He is widely 
and favorably known throughout Tecumseh and 
vicinity, and ranks .among the honored pioneers of 
this county, wdio have home no unimportant part 
in its growth and development. He has been a 
member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church for forty years. 

Edward Cook, our sub ject, has been familiar with 
farming pursuits since his boyhood, and most of 
the time has been a resident of this county. His 
school advantages were limited, the educational 
system of Johnson County having not yet devel- 
oped to its present condition. He has. however, 
kept his eyes open to what was going on around 
him, and is a man generally well informed, both 
in regard to business matters and current e\ cuts. 

Our Subject has been three times married, first 
in Nemaha Precinct, to Miss .Mary Brooks, who he- 
came the mother of one child, a daughter. Minnie 
A., who was horn Sept. ■_'.'!. 1872, and is now with 
her father. His second wife was .Miss MattielJ. 
Brooks, an aunt of the lirst. who also became the 
mother Of One child, the latter of whom died in in- 
fancy. Mrs. Mattie R. Cook died in 1875. 

To the present wife of our subject, who in her 
girlhood was Miss Susie B. 1 hirham. our subject was 
married in California, -Inly 10, 1878. This lady- 
was horn May 15, 1855, and is the daughter of* J. 
II. and Bumetta C. Durham, who were natives of 
Kentucky, and arc now residents of Colusa County. 
Cal. Of this marriage there are four children, 
namely: Hannah N., horn Aug. 2, 1879; Jessie, 
Sept. 7. 1881; Ethel M.,Nov.3, 1884; and Oeorgie 
L-, .Ian. -.".i. 1886. 

The homestead proper comprises 160 acres of 
land, hut aside from this Mr. Cook owns land to 
the amount of 240 acres elsewhere. He has good 
improvements on his farm, the fences and buildings 
being creditable alike to his industry and good 



I 

-*- -■ -*- 



334 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



-HMl 



taste. The livestock and farm machinery are .of 
first-class description, and the whole comprises one 
of the must valuable estate- in the county. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cook are prominenl and popular in the 
social circles of their community, and the latter is 
a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. 
In his stock-raising Mr. Cook makes a specialty of 
Hambletonian and draft horses, exhibiting some of 
the finest specimens of the equine rare to be found 
in this section. 

P :r> UGH L. COOPER, of the firm of Pool & 
|] Cooper, publishers and proprietors of the 
Johnson County Journal at Tecumseh, was 
born in Lewistown, 111., on the 10th of No- 
vember, 1850, and lived there with his parents until 
a lad of seven years. Thence they removed to 
Page County, Iowa, where Hugh L. completed his 
education and began his business career as a printer 
boy in the office of the 1'mjr County Herald at Cla- 
rinda. There he remained until 18G8. and was after- 
ward variously employed as a journeyman until the 
year 1885. lie then purchased the Page County 
Democrat, which he conducted until November, 
1886, then sold to secure an interest in the Johnson 
Count}/ Journal, with which lie became connected in 
March. 1887. 

Mr. Cooper was married. .Inly 11. 1876, to Miss 
Mabel Lavaux. of Atchison. Kan. To Mr. and 
Mis. C. there have been born two bright little girls, 
E\ a L. and W'ilma E. 



A( or. F1NZEE is one of the practical, pro- 
gressive and successful fanners of Helena 
Precinct, and is the owner of a valuable 
property of 322 acres, situated on sections 
29 and 32, township 6 north, range 11 east. He 
was born at Capalon, Switzerland, on the 21st 
of March. 1847. He was the seventh child of 
eleven born to his parents, Benedict ami Anna Fin- 
zer, who were natives of the same country. The 
ten named are: Benjamin, now in Tuscarawas 
County. Ohio; Nicholas, in Defiance County, that 

-4« 



State: David, in Tuscarawas County: John, who 
fell while in the service of the Union in the late 
war: Frederick, deceased; Jacob, our subject; 
Mary, now the wife of John I'rer. of Tuscarawas 
County: Elizabeth, Mr-. W. E. Brown, of Clay 
County. Ind.: Rosa, who is married to C. Winger, 
also of Tuscarawas County; and Margaret, who is 
deceased. 

In 1853 the father of our subject, with his fam- 
ily, came to America by way of Antwerp, where 
they took passage on a sailing-vessel, and after 
about forty days landed in the city of New York, 
settling, a- has already been surmised, in Tus- 
carawas County, Ohio. The county was at that time 
very sparsely settled, and almost entirely unde- 
veloped, lb- is now about eighty years of age. and 
is enjoying the result of former years of tabor in 

the comparative quiet of a retired life. His wife, the 
mother of our subject, died in the year 1*72. be- 
ing then sixty-three years of age. 

( )ur subject was educated and brought up in Ohio, 
living at home until he attained his majority. He 
learned the trade of stonemason, and continued to 
follow the same for some nine years. About the year 
1877 he went to Defiance County, Ohio, continuing 
to follow his trade, and also engaging in agricult- 
ural pursuits until 1881. it was then he decided 
to turn his face westward, and accordingly made 
his way to this State, and settled upon the farm he 
still owns and occupies. 

Mr. Finzer turned his back upon single life in 
1878. celebrating hi- marriage with Elizabeth Cu- 
tavern, on the 15th of March of that year. There 
have come to them four children, whose names are 
mentioned as follow-: Yeva A.. Delia E., Manford 
C. and Venus. The first mentioned, however, is 
the only surviving child. Mrs. Finzer is the 
daughter of John < . and Anna Cutavern,and was 
horn in Ohio. Nov. 19, 18 13. 

Whatever prosperity and financial success have 
come to our subject, it is but the harvest reaped ;i- 
the result of industry, intelligence and thrift. He 
has 322 acres of land, well improved, highly culti- 
vated and most satisfactorily productive. He owns 
a good set of farm buildings, and has his farm sup- 
plied with the needed implements, etc. 

In all questions regarding Government and po- 



=►*-«• 



. 




Residence of J. R. Whitn ey,Sec.7. Spring Creek Precinct. 




Residence of William Fuller.Sec.6 (4. = 12.) Todd Creek Precinct. 







Residence of Jacob Finzer.Sec 29. Helena Precinct. 



•►1* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



♦HMi 



337 



litical economy Mr. Finzer is governed by the same 
principles as those advocated by the Democratic 
party, of which he has from the Hist been a mem- 
ber. As a family that of our subject is greatly es- 
teemed and respected in the community. 

_ ^^- _^~ 



4 



ffiOHN R. WHITNEY. Among the men who 
have reflected honor upon the reputation of 
Johnson County, none are more worthy of 
representation than the subject of this sketch. 
He crossed the Mississippi from Illinois in the fall 
of 1865, while Nebraska was still a Territory, and 
took up his abode first in Nemaha County. He 
battled with the elements of the primitive soil in 
that region about one year onty, then changed his 
residence to this county, homesteading 1G0 acres of 
land on section 7. Spring Creek Precinct, where he 
still resides. 

Mr. Whitney labored in true pioneer style for the 
development of his land, placing fences and erect- 
ing buildings, gathering gradually together farm 
machinery and stock, and in due time found him- 
self on the high road to prosperity. At different 
times he invested a portion of his surplus capital in 
additional land, and is now the owner of a half-sec- 
tion. His possessions are the result of his own in- 
dustry and good management, as he received no 
inheritance, except his strong hands and willing 
heart. He has taken an active interest in the prog- 
ress and development of his adopted county, con- 
tributing as he has had opportunity to her prog- 
ress and welfare, serving as School Director for 
nine successive years, and being the first man to 
occupy this position in his district. He is essen- 
tially one of those comprising the bone and sinew 
Of the great commonwealth of Nebraska. Not- 
withstanding lie has labored long and accomplished 
wonderful results, he is still in the prime of life, 
and in the midst of his usefulness. 

The 5th of July, 1832, witnessed the birth of 
our subject in Washington County, Ohio, at the 
modest home of his parents, John and Sarah (Chap- 
man) Whitney. They were of New England birth 
and parentage, and came of a patriotic race, who 
were found in the ranks Of the American soldiery 



during the struggles of the infant Republic in its 
assertion of independence. Nathaniel Chapman, 
a maternal uncle of our subject, especially distin- 
guished himself in the War of 1812. To John and 
Sarah Whitney there were bom eleven children, of 
whom the following survive, namely: William, a 
resident of Henry County, III : Advent, of St. 
Louis, Mo.; Mary J., living in Colorado; Amarilla, 
the wife of Randolph Coburn, of Morgan County, 
Ohio; John R., our subject; Boilston S., of Page 
County, Iowa, where Henry and George B. also re- 
side; Eli/a S., now Mrs. Johnson, who resides in 
Bennet, Lancaster Co., Neb. The two deceased 
are Nathaniel and James G., who died in Dakota 
and Ohio, when about fifty and thirty-three years, 
respectively. Nathaniel was a physician, and James 
was a minister. The father departed this life at his 
home in Ohio, Jan. G, 1849, when middle aged. 
The mother twenty years later contracted a second 
marriage, with George Brown, of Ohio, was again 
left a widow, and remained so until her death. She 
died at the home of her daughter in Ohio, Nov. 7, 
1885, when nearly eighty-three years of age. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
county, receiving his education in the pioneer 
schools, and becoming familiar with farm pursuits 
as carried on in the Buckeye Slate. It is hardly 
necessary to say that his advantages in nowise cor- 
responded with those afforded the young men of to- 
day. He was at an early age taught those habits of 
industry and principles of honor which have been 
the secret of his success in life. , He has followed 
farming continuously, being content with the quiet 
of country life and its peaceful pursuits. Upon 
leaving home in the spring of 185.3, he made his 
way to DeKalb County. [11., bound to see something 
of the world, and for a time wasemployed there on 
a farm, at $12.50 per month; the gentleman who 
employed him was Robert Robb, now a resident of 
Tecumseh, Johnson Co.. Neli. He was first married 
in April, 1857, in DeKalb County, 111., to Mrs. Lu- 
cinda Hainer, nee Maltby, who was born in New 
York State. They settled in Boone County, 111., 
and became the parents of five children, who are 
now comfortably settled in life, and located as fol- 
lows: Delbert in Sterling, this county ; Annie, the 
wife of Noel Crook, in Nemaha County; Alva L. 



^I^«. 



, l 338 



-eft* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



V 



iii Spring Creek Precinct, this county ; Harmon and 
Eddie <:.. at home with theirfather. Mrs. Lucinda 
Whitney departed this life at her home in Spring 
Creek, Nov. 18, 1885. 

Our subject contracted a .second matrimonial 
alliance, March 31, 1887, with Mrs. Julia Biggs, 
nee Elrod, who was born Nov. 15, 1834, in Mont- 
gomery County, Ind. Mrs. Whitney is the daugh- 
ter of John and Sarah (Stultz) Elrod. Her parents 
were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respect- 
ively, and are now deceased. Our subject con- 
tinued a resident of Boone County, HI., until coin- 
\\vi to Nebraska. 



- •5~3=©£H > 



UILLIAM FULLER, one of the earliest pio- 
neers along the southern line of Johnson 
^f/^j County, has become wealthy from the soil 
of Nebraska, and is owner of one of the finest farms 
in Todd Creek Precinct, which, in addition to all 
the modern improvements, includes one of its hand- 
somest residences. Mr. Fuller is an extensive land- 
owner, having besides the homestead farm 160 acres 
in Pawnee County, Neb., and the same amount in 
Decatur County, Kan. He is a self-made man, one 
who has worked his way to his present position in 
life by industry and perseverance, and at the same 
time his career has been such as to gain him the 
esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Fuller came to the young State of Nebraska 
in the month of May, 1868, and first purchased a 
half-section of prairie land in Lincoln Precinct. He 
labored upon it for a time, although not putting up 
any buildings, being then a single man, and board- 
ing with a neighbor. In the spring of 1870 he sold 
this land and purchased that which he now occupies, 
taking possession in the spring of 1871, and com- 
mencing the improvements which have made it one 
of the most valuable estates in the count}'. It was 
then an unbroken prairie, with not a tree or build- 
ing, and it has taken years of labor and thousands 
of dollars to bring it to its present condition. The 
farm is enclosed with beautiful hedge fencing, the 
fields being divided with the same, and the effect 



upon the landscape is delightful to behold. Mr. 
Fuller planted ten acres of forest trees together 
with an apple orchard, and all kinds of the small 
fruits. The farm of late years has been chiefly de- 
voted to stock-raising, including graded Short-horn 
cattle, of which our subject buys and sells largely 
each year. He is also working his way toward a 
fine stock of horses, mostly Clydesdales, and also 
to Poland-China swine. 

.Air. Fuller from the first has been a prominent 
man in his communit}'. although carefully avoiding 
the responsibilities of office. Liberal and public- 
spirited, he is foremost in encouraging the enter- 
prises tending to the welfare of the people around 
him, and uniformly votes the straight Republican 
ticket. In religious matters he has been identified 
with the Free-Will Baptist Church for several years. 
He is a man in the prime of life, having been horn 
Sept. 13, 1810. His boyhood home was eight 
miles south of the city of Peoria, 111., where he 
lived until a young man of twenty-one years, ac- 
quiring a practical education in the common schools. 

Soon after the outbreak of the late Civil War 
young Fuller hastened to the defense of the Union, 
enlisting in Company I. 32d Illinois Infantry, and 
under the command of Gen. Grant fought at Shiloh. 
Pittsburg Landing, and was in other important 
battles of the war. At Pittsburg Landing he was 
wounded in the right arm and conveyed to the 
hospital in St. Louis, whence soon afterward he re- 
turned home on a furlough. His wound was slow in 
healing, and he was obliged to accept an honorable 
discharge for disability. As soon as sufficiently 
recovered, however, he again entered the ranks in 
his old regiment, and marched with Gen. Sherman 
to the sea. Mr. Fuller had the happiness this time 
of serving as a soldier until the close of the war, 
when for the second time he received his discharge 
and was mustered out. 

Our subject now took up his residence in Logan 
County, III., where he carried on farming two years, 
then sold out, and resolved to cast his lot with the 
pioneers of Nebraska. With them he fought grass- 
hoppers and drouth, and the man}' other difficul- 
ties which beset the people of this region during 
the early days. Looking around him now, not 
only at his own beautiful home, hut the homesteads 




•> lr +- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



^L» 



339 



•Afc*; 



of the enterprising and intelligent people about 
him, he feels amply repaid for his toil and sacri- 
fice. 

Fur the Inst eighteen years there has presided 
over the household of our subject a lady who in 
her girlhood was Miss Prances Emery, and to whom 
be was married in Todd Creek Precinct, this 
COlinty, April 23. 1871. This union resulted in the 
birth of three children, two only of whom are liv- 
ing: Hattie E. and Carlton C. They are giving 
them a good education, and they still remain under 
the parental roof. 

Mrs. Frances (Emery) Fuller was horn in the 
Province of Upper Canada, March 20, 1850, and is 
the daughter of George and Sarah (Robbins) 
Finery. The father was horn in Canada, April 14. 
1819, where he was reared and married, and where 
he lived until the fall of 18GG. He then came to 
Nebraska with his family, living the first year in 
Nemaha County, and then moved to Lincoln Pre- 
cinct, in this county, where he homesteaded a good 
farm of sixty acres, and occupied it until 1884. He 
then retired from active labor and took up his resi- 
dence in Crab Orchard, where he is still living, and 
is now quite well advanced in years. The mother is 
living with her husband at Crab Orchard. The paren- 
tal household included six children, all of whom are 
living, and are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Mr. Emery was a prominent man during 
the earlier years of his life, and especially active 
in church work, officiating as Steward, Class-Leader 
and Trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church 
since a young man twenty-one years of age. 

Alexander Fuller, the father of our subject, was 
born in Coshocton County. Ohio, Sept. 13, 1817. 
He left the Buckeye State about the time of reach- 
ing his majority, and located among the pioneers of 
Peoria County, III. There he secured a tract of 
land from which he eliminated a good farm, where 
he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 
January. 1 .'ssG. There also the children were reared, 
receiving careful parental training, and always con- 
sidered their childhood home as the dearest spot on 
earth. Alexander Fuller was married to Miss 
Hannah Corvgill, in his native State, and they 
took their bridal tour to Illinois, overland with 
a team, and Spent their honeymoon in an 



humble dwelling in the timber, where they lived 
happily until moving into a more pretentious resi- 
dence. The household circle was completed by the 
birth of eight children, six of whom lived to mat art' 
years. They are now living, and are mostly resi. 
dents of Illinois. 

The mother of our subject was born in 1819, and 
departed this life at the old homestead in Peoria 
County, III., in the fall of 1856. The father was 
subsequently married, and of his -croud union there 
were born other children. James Fuller, the pa- 
ternal grandfather, was a farmer by occupation, and 
also emigrated from Ohio to Illinois, spending his 
last days in Peoria County. 

Our subject and his estimable wife have labored 
hand in hand in the building up of their homestead, 
the education of their children, and in the effort to 
benefit these around them as opportunity afforded. 
Their hospitable roof is the resort of hosts of 
friends, to whom they extend those courtesies 
which will long be remembered after they have de- 
parted hence. In the growth and development of 
Johnson County Mr. Fuller has been no unimpor- 
tant factor, and he has by an honorable career built 
up a monument for himself upon which his de- 
scendants will look with pride in later years. 




t LONZO B. NOBLE is prosperously engaged 

in the livery business in Sterling. He is 
well known as an early pioneer of Johnson 
County, has been identified both with its 
agricultural and mercantile interests, and is now 
numbered among its solid and well-to-do citizen.--. 
Much of the growth of the county has taken place 
under his eye since he became a resident of Ne- 
braska, and he may well la- proud that he has had a 
hand in the development of such a prosperous and 
wealthy region. 

Mr. Noble was born in Wayne County, N. V.. 
April 15, 1841, and when he was eleven years old 
his parents, Ozem and Ophelia (Birdsey) Noble, 
moved with their family to Whiteside County, III., 
There the remaining years of his boyhood and 
youth were passed, ami there the breaking out of 
the war found him just twenty years of age, ready 



, i 340 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




and willing to assist his companions in the defense 
of the institutions of our country that were so seri- 
ously menaced by the Rebellion, and Nov. 2, 1861, 

lie enlisted in Company K, 46th Illinois Infantry, 
as a private. For two years and ten months he 
took part in many hardly contested battles, and was 
present at Shiloh on tlieGth and 7tli of April, 1862; 
be was at the siege of Vicksburg that lasted about 
forty days, and in action in various other impor- 
tant engagements. He was finally sent borne on 
sick leave, reported at Chicago, was sent to thecity 
hospital, where he was discharged, and returned to 
In's friends sound, excepting the results of sickness 
and exposure, and the measles, from which be had 
suffered while in the army, had somewhat impaired 
his health. 

The next decisive step in the life of our subject, 
and one that had an important bearing on the es- 
tablishment of a home, was his marriage to Miss 
Bellmina Kline, daughter of Jacob and Margaret 
Kline, which took place in Whiteside County, III., 
June 24, 1865. After the birth of two children, 
Iola 15. and Victor A., both of whom are living, 
Mrs. Noble's pleasant wedded life was brought to a 
close by her death in February, 1873. She was a 
lady whose many kindly traits of character endeared 
her to all who came under her influence. Mr. 
Noble was married to his present wife, Margaret 
Kline, a sister of his first wife, in February, 1S74. 
She is a kind and devoted wife and mother, caring 
tenderly for her sister's children and for those born 
to her and her husband, of whom the following is 
recorded: Florence died at the age of eight months, 
and then came Flora V., Charles F., Cynthia C. 
and Horace C, the latter dying at the age of eight 
months. 

During the Christmas holidays of 1867, our sub- 
ject left bis old home in Illinois to seek a new one 
under the sunny Nebraska skies, bringing with him 
his family. Under the provision of the Homestead 
Act, he took upa 160-acre tract of land in what was 
then Sterling Precinct, but is now known as Vesta, 
on sections 14 and 15, township 5, range 10. He 
was actively engaged in its improvement until the 
fall of 1872, when be received the appointment of 
Postmaster at Vesta, and moved into the village, and 
during his stay there of ten years in that capacity, 



was also engaged in general merchandising, having a 
pioneer store of dry-goods, groceries, hardware and 
drugs. His store was then the only one between 
Tccutnseh and Beatrice, except the one kept by J. 
M. Nelson, who closed out soon after our subject 
opened his, leaving his rival a clear field. In the 
fall of 1882 Mr. Noble came to Sterling, and was 
engaged in buying and selling grain for about four 
months. We then hear of him in Crab Orchard. 
where he built a stable and conducted a livery 
business for six months. At the expiration of 
that time he returned to Sterling, and established 
himself in the mercantile business, which he carried 
on for four years, and the last year and a half was 
also engaged iu the livery business in connection 
with his store. He sold the latter Aug. 1, 1888. 
disposing of the stock and good-will, but retaining 
his ownership of the building. He is now giving 
his exclusive attention to his livery business, which 
is quite extensive, he having a first-class establish- 
ment, with good horses and neat and comfortable 
vehicles. 

Mr. Noble is an active, wide-awake man, whose 
success in life is due to industrious habits and 
good business principles. He stands well in this 
community as a citizen, as a husband, father and 
neighbor, and is well liked by all who come in con- 
tact with him. Politically, be is a Republican, and 
socially, belongs to Sill Post No. 99, G. A. R., of 
Sterling. 

A WILLIAM L. DUNLAP. In the present 
\/jJ/l s ' £e ^ CD ' l "'" ' ,e endeavored to present in 
ffiy compendious form the biography of the 
County Surveyor, who held that office from 1865 
to 1875 continuously, and also from 1878 to 1883, 
returning to the office in 1885, and is still holding it. 
A record almost we believe unparalleled, and includ- 
ing a period of twenty-one years. In 1884-85 Mr. 
Dunlap was County Clerk. To this office he was 
elected on the Independent ticket, but in every 
other instance by the Republican party. The first 
map of the county was drawn by his hand, and he 
is perhaps one of the best known citizens and most 
popular men iu the county. 

Mr. Dunlap was elected delegate to the Consti- 



=*=#* 



JL 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



311 



tutional Convention at Lincoln, whore the present 
State Constitution was drawn up. The county 
which he has surveyed so much is eighteen miles 
north ami south, and twenty-one east and west. It 
was he who platted the villageof Tecuinseh in 18G9, 
and also Sterling. Previous to drawing the map of 
the county he conducted a special survey of it in 
every part with that object in view. 

Our subject was horn in Westmoreland County. 
Pa., on the 22d of April, 1824, where he lived until 
he reached his sixteenth birthday, when he moved 
to Butler County, in the same State. His education 
was received at the Butler Academy, which was 
situated at the county seat. His residence in But- 
ler continued until 1<SI.">, when he migrated to 
Adams County. HI . to teach school, which pro- 
fession he followed for some time, after which he 
taught in Rock Island and in Bureau County. He 
was compelled, however, to make some change, as 
his health threatened to give way under the con- 
finement and constant application necessary to the 
maintenance of the high grade of efficiency which 
lie deemed essential to success. As a result he took 
up surveying, with which he had made some ac- 
quaintance in hi> youth, for a time linking with this 
work that of millwright and carpenter, which he 
prosecuted in Chicago until the fall of 1861. 

In September of that year Mr. Dunlap enlisted 
in the defense of the Union in Company I, 56th 
Illinois Infantry, and was appointed First Lieuten- 
•ani. He served with that regiment until January, 
1862, when he was mustered out. and auain resumed 
working at his trade in Chicago until 1 86 I. On 
the 22d of March in that year he went hack to the 
army, and served as Quartermaster's clerk until 
March of the year following. Then he came direct 
through to Tecumseh, and was among the fust to 
make farm improvements in the county, lie also 
put up the first frame buildings and dwelling-house 
wesl of Yankee Creek. This property is still Stand- 
ing, although he has had hard work to save it from 
forest fire on many different occasions. 

After seven years of fanning, interspersed with 
surveying, Mr. Dunlap was elected in 1865 County 
Surveyor, from which time, as above noted, he has 
continued to work in connection therewith. He 
removed to the city of Tecumseh in February, I *72, 



both on account of business, and in order to give 
his children the benefit of its schools. He was the 
contractor who erected the schools, both common 
and High, and also the jail. He built the fine resi- 
dence owned by Mrs. Wright, the John Beattie 
building, and many other of the larger and better 
houses and business blocks. From the time of his 
removal to the city he has been a prominent resi- 
dent, being thereby the better able to attend to his 
official duties, and finding it more convenient for 
headquarters. 

Mr. Dunlap is an energetic member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and holds the office of Trustee 
in the same. As a worker in the Sunday-school he 
has always been among those most deeply interested, 
taking great pleasure therein. In the Masonic fra- 
ternity he is always welcomed as a worthy and 
esteemed brother. He was united in marriage with 
Miss Martha Beattie. March 22, 1819, and there 
were born of the union two children, viz: Sam- 
uel W. and Alice, the latter being now deceased; 
the former is in Missouri. After the death of his 
first wife he became the husband of Miss Ellen .1. 
Calvin, who bore him three children, all of whom 
are living, viz.: Lnella. William A. and Emma -I. 
The eldest child was united in marriage with ,1. W. 
Law. of Nonpareil. Box Butte Co.. Neb.; they are 
the parents of two children. William A. also is 
married, and lives at Rush vi He, Nidi. The younger 
daughter is now Mrs. Snyder, and also resides at 
Rushville. Mrs. Dunlap, after a short illness, died 
on the 8th of January, 1864. 

Our subject, subsequent to the above sad bereave- 
ment, married Miss Lucinda Storm, of Nemaha 
County. The event was celebrated on the 16th of 
November, 1865. Ten children were born to them, 
all of whom are living. Their names are recorded 
as follows: Anna I!., Mary B. Melissa, Josephine, 
Clarence, Dora. Grace, Ruth, Roxie and Helen. 
These are all receivings good education, and live 
at home with their parents. 

.lames Dunlap, the father of our subject, was 
born in 17:»-">. in Westmoreland County. Pa., and 
there made his home until he was forty-six years 
of age. when he removed to Butler County, in the 
same State, continuing there until his death, in 1864, 
The life occupation of this gentleman was Rgricult- 




342 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



uie. His wife was Mary Van Dyke, of Pennsyl- 
vania. They were the parents of twelve children, 
all but one of whom came to mature years. His 
wife lived until 1879. 

William Dunlap, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of Ireland, and was born near the city 
of Londonderry in the year 1740, and came to this 
country in 1706, when he established the old Dun- 
lap homestead in Pennsylvania. He was the father 
of nine children, most of whom settled in Pennsyl- 
vania, and are the progenitors of the Dunlap family 
in this country, members of which have migrated to 
almost every State in the Union. 

The subject of our sketch has built a fine resi- 
dence in the city, on Twenty first and Garfield 
streets, and retains his farm in Nemaha County. He 
is undoubtedly a man of finely developed character, 
progressive, a lover of good morals, loyal and pub- 
lic spirited. 



>'W<< 



,^^h , :.':>4'<-'." , " i '.'' , '.''i. 



1^ 



iftv^.6 



111, NICHOLAS P. HITCHCOCK. Promi- 
nent among the business men of Johnson 
\^?' County, who are sustaining and advancing 
its financial interests, is the gentleman who forms 
the subject of this biographical notice. He is one 
of the leading citizens of Sterling, and the proprie- 
tor of the Johnson County Bank of that place. He 
was born Dec. 2:1. 1832, in Perry County, Ohio, and 
is a son of John E. and Rosana (Kelly) Hitchcock, 
natives respectively of New York and Virginia. 
lie is derived from a mingled Anglo-Celtic ances- 
try. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Hitchcock, 
came from England with two brothers about 110 
years ago, and located in Maryland, one of his 
lirothers settling in Alabama and the other in New 
York. Henry Kelly, the maternal grandfather of 
our subject, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated 
to this country and settled in Maryland, near Balti- 
more, and there the mother of our subject was born 
and reared, and there, also, his father was reared, 
but they moved to Ohio prior to their marriage, 
which occurred in 1828, in Perry County, Ohio. 
Of this union there were born right children, four 
sons and four daughters, as follows: Elizabeth, 



Nicholas F., Henry K, Isah, Susannah. Salathiel 
A., Leah A. and Rebecca J. Elizabeth died at the 
age of ten years, and Isah in infancy. 

Our subject was reared in his native county, and 
was there united in marriage, March (1, 185 1. to 
Miss Jemima Engle, a native of Ohio, and the 
daughter of Paul and Mary (Petty) Engio. who 
were of German descent, and went from New Jer- 
sey' to Ohio, where they spent their last years. 
While yet a young man our subject began to take 
part in the public life of his native State, and also 
became prominently identified with its educational 
interests, he having received a liberal education, 
and when the war broke out he was engaged in the 
profession of teaching, and also held the office of 
Justice of the Peace. Put this quiet life was not 
destined to continue much longer, as his country 
had more important work for him to do. and in the 
stirring scenes of battle he was to win a military 
record of which his children and his children's chil- 
dren for many generations to come mighl well be 
proud. lie soon began, with all his energy and 
spirit, to organize a. company, known as Company 
H, 90th Ohio Infantry, and through his influence 
it was equipped and ready for service in the 
spring of 1862, he receiving the commission of 
Captain. When he marched into camp on the 1Mb 
of July with his regiment he received deserved 

promotion to the Office of Lieutenant-Colonel I'oi' 
gallantry and efficiency in the trying scenes of 
deadly conflict, when it required the utmost cool- 
ness and courage to face the foe. lie took an act- 
ive part in many of the most important engage- 
ments of the war. He was at Richmond, Ky., and 
at Louisville, that State, from whence he and his 
command, with other regiments, followed the rebel 
General, Bragg, to Perry ville, and from thereon his 
retreat to Stone River, where a heavy battle was 
fought. They still continued to pursue Bragg, and 
to watch and counteract his manoeuvres as far as 
Chattanooga. After that, the Colonel's regiment 
was engaged in the Atlantic campaign until the 
fall of Atlanta, and then, while Sherman made his 
famous march to the sea, our subject and his men 
returned to Nash ville, where they had the noted en- 
gagement with the confederate General, Hood, and 
captured several of his men, and then pursued him 




- 19 



■*•■ 



■**■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



343 



4 



into Georgia, and there had several encounters with 
him. When the rebel General left for the Caro- 
linas our subject gathered together the fragments 
of his regiment and inarched to the French Broad, 
where he staid until after Lee's surrender to Grant, 
and then, with his regiment, retired to Camp Har- 
ter, near Nashville, where his active services ceased. 
He was subsequently mustered out at Camp Divis- 
ion, June 24, 1865, and returned home unscathed 
by a wound, although he had been in the heal of 
so many battles. 

Alter the war the Colonel returned to his old 
home in Perry County, Ohio, and for several 
years was prosperously engaged in thegeneral mer- 
chandise, milling and tobacco business. But in 
L880 he settled up Ids affairs m that Slate, and on 
the 29th of January, 1881, started with his family 
for Sterling, Neb., having resolved to make Ids 
home Tor the future in this genial, health-giving 
clime. He arrived here February 2. and soon es- 
tablished himself in his present business as a banker 
and real-estate dealer. Col. Hitchcock and his es- 
timable wife have one of the most attractive homes 
• in Sterling, and they and their family occupy the 
highest social position. Ten children have lilessed 

their happy married life, of whom nine are living, 
as follows: John II. is still living in Stoutsville, 
Ohio, where he is successfully engaged in farming; 
• l. Hall is one of the leading attorneys of Sterling; 
Salathiel (.has taken up land in Kansas, but issiill 
an inmate of the parental home; Ellsworth IJ. is a 
teacher in t he schools of Sterling; I larvey F. is with 
his father as cashier of the Johnson County Hank; 
Alary is now Mrs. Joseph Sain, of Harper, Kan.; 
Rosa una is M rs. Lafayette < Mimes, of this city; Alice 
and I'ra. who are at home with their parents, are 
two bright young misses just budding into woman- 
hood, and are the pride of the family and general 
favorites in the community. They are attending 
the graded school of the city preparatory t<> enter- 
ing a higher school for the purpose of finishing 
their education, it being the high motive of the 
parents to give their children a finished education, 
and the young ladies give the family great encour- 
agement in the progress in their studies, promising 
to become efficient in all the branches, ami making 
themselves the equals of the elder members of the 
«■ 



family in point of education. They are both ac- 
complished young ladies, and give promise of cast- 
ing sunshine into the lives of their parents in their 
declining years, and assuring them that their efforts 
have not been in vain. 

John II. Hitchcock was married. .March 1. 1876 
to Miss Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and Eliza 
Bleed, Rev. I.. \Y. Laukey, of stoutsville. Ohio. 
officiating. This lady was horn in Fairfield County, 
Ohio. April 19, 1857. Her father, a native of l'enn- 
syl vania. was horn in Moonshine Township, Schuyl- 
kill ( ounty. where he lived until a youth of sixteen 
years, and was married to \li<s Leah Klar. Feb. 8, 
1811. Benjamin Reed departed this life Oct. 2."), 
1887, at Stoutsville, Ohio. The mother i> now 
with her daughter in Stoutsville. Ohio. Mr. and 
Mrs. Reed were hoth members of the Evangeli- 
can Association, to which John II. Hitchcock and 
his wife also belong. This gentleman, politically, 
is a Democrat "dyed in (he wool." lie is the 
father of one child, a daughter, Cecil R., who was 
horn .Ian. HI. L880. 

Miss Mary II. Hitchcock was born March 2s. 
1855, and married at her father's residence in Perrj 
County. Ohio, to Joseph W. Sain, May 27, 1*77. 
Mr. Sain, a native of that county, was born Dec. .'ill. 
1 848, and began teaching when a youth of seventeen 
years, continuing until his marriage. The young 
people soon afterward took up their residence in 
Ringgold County. Iowa, where Mr. Sain improved 
a farm from a tract of wild prairie, and where they 
lived a period of seven years. They then changed 
their residence to Harper ( 'ounty. Kan., and later 
removed thence to Kiowa (ounty. where Mr. Sain 
pre-empted 160 acres of land, and took up his resi- 
dence in Harper City, when' they now live in a 
very pleasant home. Mr. Sain is the sou of Peter 
and Elizabeth (Wright) Sain, the former of whom 
was horn April 8, L 822, and married Miss Eliza- 
beth Wright, Dec. L4, 1847. He died at his home 
in Perry County, Ohio, Feb. 1. 1865, from disease 
which he contracted in the army. He was a mem- 
ber of Company C, 1.60th Ohio National Guards, 
and participated in the battles of Monocacy and 
Maryland Heights. Mrs. Elizabeth (Wright) Sain 
was born Oct. 25, 1826, in Perry County, Ohio, and 
died March 11. 1879, in the latter county. Both 

t» 



r 



•►Hl^^ 



.^L* 



344 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



*t 



she and her husband are buried in Otterbein Ceme- 
tery, that county. They were the parents of Ave 
children, namely: Joseph W., Sarah S., Emma C, 
William F. and Thomas II., all of whom are living. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sain were 7iiost excellent and worthy 
people, and members in good standing of the 
United Brethren Church. Joseph W. Sain and his 
wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and Air. Sain, politically, is a stanch Republican. 

Eosanna Hitchcock, now Mrs. Grimes, was born 
March 30, 1858. This lady is highly educated, be- 
ing a graduate of the select school at Junction City, 
under Prof. .lames Conner, of Ohio. She, like the 
balance of the family, occupies a high position in 
society, being an expert in instrumental and vocal 
music. The marriage of Rosanna Hitchcock to 
LaFayette Grimes was celebrated at the residence 
of the Presiding Elder, Rev. L. F. Britt,of Nebraska 
City, Oct. 30, 1882. Of this union there are two 
bright and interesting children, Gracie E. and Har- 
vey S., who bi mg sunshine into the household, and 
in whom the parents take great pride. LaFayette 
Grimes was born in Decatur. Macon Co., 111., Dec. 
">, l*.-)2. and is the son of George W. and Sarah A. 
(Smoot) Grimes, natives respectively of Ohio and 
Virginia. They were the parents of six children, 
four of whom are still living, named as follows: La- 
Fayette, Alexander, William L. and Josiah. The 
parents are now residents of Sterling, this county. 

Harvey F. Hitchcock, now connected with his 
father as cashier of the Johnson County Bank, is a 
graduate of Mallalien University, of Bartley, Neb. 
He is a young man of more than ordinary ability, 
having assumed the responsible position of teacher 
attheage of sixteen years, in which calling he at- 
tained the same high honors that are accredited his 
brother in another part of this volume. In his 
present position he is discharging his duties to the 
entire satisfaction of parties having business con- 
nections with the Johnson County Bank. He is yet 
unmarried, and a great favorite among the elite 
of the city and community, being of a very affable 
disposition, always courteous, with a pleasant word 
for all who come in contact with him, socially or 
in a business way. lie is one of a few young men 
who have a bright future before them, and is try- 
ing to make out of if all there is in it. and the pres- 
.*• 



ent outlook bespeaks for him a place in business, 
as well as social, circles that will be honored by all. 
The Colonel is eminently deserving of the honor 
and confidence in which he is held by all who come 
in contact with him, either socially or in a business 
way, as in his conduct he is conscientiously guided 
by the loftiest principles of right. As a citizen he 
has ever been loyal and patriotic in his acts, and 
his private life is irreproachable. In his capacity 
of financier and as a prompt, enterprising business 
man. he is doing much to build up the city and 
county. Politically, he and his sons, with the ex- 
ception of John II., arc firm supporters of the Re- 
publican party. Religiously, he and his wife are 
among the leading members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, their forefathers having been identi- 
fied with that denomination almost from the very 
founding of Methodism. 



DWARD F. BELL, a prosperous farmer and 

E leading land-owner of Vesta Precinct, has a 
1 fine homestead on section 31, comprising a. 
well-developed farm of 340 acres with substantial 
buildings. lie is a Western man by birth and educa- 
tion, his native place being in Peoria County. 111., 
where lie Brsl Opened his eyes to the light June 1 1. 

1856. He completed a thorough education in the 
Presbyterian College at Highland, Kan., and came 
to Nebraska in 1871, settling at once in Vesta Pre- 
cinct. He became familiar with agricultural pur- 
suits in his boyhood, and has made this calling his 
through his entire life. 

The parents of our subject, John and Rachel 
(Paddock) Bell, were natives of Ohio, and the fa- 
ther a farmer by occupation. They are still resi- 
dents of Doniphan County. Kan. The parental 
family included ten children, eight of whom are 
living and residents of Kansas and Nebraska. 

Our subject in the spring of 1873 went into 
Fl Paso County. Colo., and secured 160 acres of 
land along the Wet Mountain Valley, two and one- 
half miles from Rosetta. where he operated a stock 
ranch two years, but in 1*75 returned to Kansas. 
and thence came back to this county in the fall of 
1877. He is a fine judge of live stock and makes a 



5^*-* 



•►-li^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



347 



specialty of graded cattle, keeping good breeds of 
Din-hams. Mr. Bell was married at the Home of 
the bride in Lincoln, Neb., June 1 I. L831, to Miss 
Maude E., daughter of Alexander and __ Augusta 
Coulee, of Washington, 1). C. Mr. and Mrs. Bell 
began their wedded life together in Vesta Precinct, 
and are now the parents of three interesting chil- 
dren—Ethel A., Ralph E. and Gladys M. The 
family residence is a substantial and tasteful frame 
structure, handsomely furnished, anil indicating 
both within and without cultivated tastes and 
ample means. The family is very prominent, 
socially, and Mr. Bell, politically, votes and labors 
in support of the principles of the Republican 
party. He possesses considerable musical talent 
and is a leading member of the Vesta Cornet Hand. 
His land is under a thorough state of cultivation, 
is well watered and highly productive, lie has all 
the modern farm machinery, including an expensive 
windmill and all the other appliances required by 
the modern and progressive agriculturist. In 
building up one of the most valuable farms of 
Johnson County, lie has contributed this much to- 
ward its prosperity and development. Hi' is held 
in high regard both as a citizen and as a business 
man, a thoroughly representative member of an in- 
telligent and progressive community. 

•.<*o-(c^A><\g)-.<*o.. <<— 

JOSEPH M. CATIICART. Among the suc- 
cessful agriculturists of Johnson County, who 
have grown up with it since its earlier his- 
tory, is the subject of this writing, who is well 
ami favorably known throughout the county, and 
is a resident on section 21, township 6 north, range 
12 east, of .Spring Creek Precinct, where he owns 
116 acres of good land. He was born in Jefferson 
County, Pa., on the 5th of July, 1842, and is the 
son of Clark and Margaret (McSparran) Cathcart, 
both of whom were born in that State. His father, 
who is now residing in Decatur County, Kan., was 
born in the year 1812. 

The subject of our sketch is the eldest living son 
of the family, and lived in his native county until 
he had reached his fifteenth year, when he went with 
his parents to Rock Island County, 111., where they 



settled. There also in 1865 the mother died, and 
subsequently the father came to Otoe County, but 
after a short, sojourn removed to Kansas, where he 
lias been from that time. In the district schools, and 
mostly in the winter months, our subject received 
what education he has obtained, which, however, 
was only suliicient as a groundwork, to which he 
has by care and reading added as he was able, until 
he has become a well-informed and fairly read 
man. 

On the 1st of September, 1861, Mr. Cathcart. en- 
listed in Company II, of the 37th Illinois Infantry, 
which was attached to the Western Arm} - , first un- 
der Gen. Fremont, taking part in the battles of Pea 
Ridge, Prairie Grove, the siege and capture of 
Vicksburg, and numerous other engagements of 
greater or lesser note. During the period of his 
military experience, which was of three years' dura- 
tion, he was under fire eight times. He received an 
honorable discharge on the 1st of October, 1864, 
after which he returned home to Illinois, and after 
a short rest and vacation re-enlisted, in the 2d Regi- 
ment of Veteran United States Volunteers, under 
the command of Gen. Hancock, but owing to the 
war closing as it did they were not engaged with 
the enemy. They were, however, continued in gar- 
rison duty until February, 1866, when the}' were 
discharged, twelve months from the date of enlist- 
ment. 

The subject of our sketch came to this county in 
the spring of 1866, taking up as a homestead claim 
the land he still owns. He settled upon it in May and 
turned the first furrow, beginning to improve and 
cultivate the land, which he has brought to a very 
high state of productiveness and cultivation by his 
energy and intelligent labor. He has supplied it with 
the usual necessary buildings, all well planned and 
substantially constructed, besides which he has pro- 
vided the many implements and machinery with- 
out which it is impossible to operate properly such 
a farm. 

January 25, 1869, was the occasion of the cele- 
bration of the nuptials of Mr. Cathcart and Amy 
Ficken, to whom there have come nine children, 
whose names are recorded as follows: Addison C 
Franklin F.. Henry !•'., Margaret M.. Finest F., 
Archibald A., Walter J.. Martha M., and Mary, who 



JL 



4— 
348 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



is deceased. Mrs. Cathcart is the daughter of 
Nicholas and Frances Ficken, and was born in Mis- 
souri, Dec. 7, 1850, and until her marriage made 
her home with her parents. 

When our subject emigrated to Nebraska from 
Illinois there were two parties besides himself, viz, 
his brother, William Cathcart, and a cousin, George 
Cathcart. They came together with two wagons 
and teams, bearing their worldly possessions, farm 
implements, cabin utensils, etc. The journey from 
Rock Island County, 111., to this county occupied 
two weeks, but was filled with pleasing incidents 
en route. They erected a small frame dwelling, 
standing 14x16 feet, and constructed out of cotton- 
wood lumber. This with some slight additions 
served for himself and family until about four 
years ago, when he built his present residence. 

Mr. Cathcart is an enthusiastic member of the G. 
A. R., at Talmage, and is at present filling the 
position of Sergeant Major of the post, and his wife 
is just <is enthusiastic as a member of the Women's 
Relief Corps. Politically, our subject is a Repub- 
lican, and as such is deeply interested in the ques- 
tions from time to time before the people. He is 
serving his district as Moderator, and for a number 
of years was School Treasurer. His pleasant home 
with its neat and tasteful surroundings is shown on 
another page. 

ENRY W. JONES. This gentleman has ex- 
tensive stock interests, and is one of the 
enterprising and successful farmers of Ne- 
maha Precinct. He particularly favors 
horses of the well-known and extensively used 
Hambletonian stock, and breeds among the best in 
the county. In previous years he has been quite 
active as a general fanner, but has been gradually 
retiring from that department. His farm, which 
adjoins the limits of Tecumseh, is one of the finest 
of the district, and until lie sold part of his prop- 
erty on section 21 was also among the largest. A 
view of the place is shown on an accompanying 
page. 

The history of Mr. Jones in this State dales 
from 1866. In that year he took a claim under the 



Homestead Law in Helena Precinct, where he lived 
for about eighteen years, making all needed im- 
provements, bringing the soil to a high state of cul- 
tivation, electing an excellent house and the usual 
farm buildings. He has put out a fine grove of 
forest trees, and has planted an orchard that will 
compare favorably in point of quality and quantity 
of bearing with many much older properties. Part 
of the farm is carefully wired, and the remainder 
is supplied with a well-kept hedge by way of fenc- 
ing. 

Selling his first acquired property in 1884 for 
$6,000, Mr. Jones bought the farm upon which he 
now makes his home, which overlooks Tecumseh, 
is within easy distance of the city, and offers a tine 
view of the surrounding country. All the build- 
ings upon the farm, except the dwelling, have been 
built by our subject. He takes greal pride in his 
farm, and is careful to have it equal to if not su- 
perior to those in the vicinity. 

Henry YV. Jones, the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Ross County. Ohio, on the 15th of Decem- 
ber, 1838. Until he was sixteen years of age his 
home was made with his parents, who gave him the 
opportunity of obtaining a fair English education. 
At the end of that period he migrated to Illinois, 
and there alone in the world he started to make his 
fortune. lie began by working on a farm in Lo- 
gan County. 111., and there continued for fourteen 
years. While thus employed he was married to 
Clarrissa Shasteen. The union was celebrated on 
the 25th of March. 1858; there have been born to 
them four children, who are still living, and whose 
names are given as follows: Mary, Annie, Edward 
and James. 

Until he came to this State our subject continued 
to live in Illinois. Since his settlement in Ne- 
braska, however, he has made much progress in the 
work to which he set himself, and may fairly boast 
considerable progress. Usually he votes the Re- 
publican ticket, feeling more at home with the prin- 
ciples of that party than any other, and at all times 
ready to engage actively in its interests. 

Of the children of our subject Mary is now Mrs. 
John Stollard, of this county, and is the mother of 
six children, whose names are as follows: Birdie, 
Henry. Milo. Wither. Edward, and one who died in 



f 



*•- 




^ 11 <• 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



349 



childhood, named Clara. Annie is happily married 
to Henry Wakeman, of Tecumseh; they are the 
parents of four children, viz: Ralph, Bert, Allie 
and Jesse. Edward is in business in Lincoln, and 
• lames is at home. All have received good practi- 
cal and business educations. 

Clarrissa (Shasteen) Jones, the wife of our sub- 
ject, was horn in Ohio in the year 1844. Her 
father. Edward Shasteen, was a farmer. She was 
reared upon the home farm for the first eighl 
years of her life, and then went to Illinois, residing 
at Irwin, Logan County, until the lime of her mar- 
riage. Mr. Shasteen is still living, bul has moved to 
this state, and is residing with his daughter in this 
county, his wife having died in the year 1867. 

The father of our subject, Harris Jones, was also 
a native of Ohio. He followed farming and lived 
in Ross County until his death, which occurred on 
the Atlantic Ocean at the time our subject was six 
months old. He hail started to visit England, but the 
boat upon which lie took passage, owing to a storm, 
went down, with the loss of all on hoard except- 
ing two only. His wife died hi 1880, in Ross County, 
Ohio. Our subject was bound out and was away 
from home for sixteen years, during which time 
he acquired the knowledge of his trade. 



1 



' 



il A, 
Jit* 



OHN KERSHAW, a well-to-do farmer of 
Nemaha Precinct, lias been engaged in the 
successful cultivation of '240 acres of fine 
fanning land a number of years, and by his 
industry and enterprise has surrounded himself 
with all the comforts of life and many of its luxu- 
ries. His property is located on section 1C, and 
besides his farm includes a handsome and substan- 
tial set of buildings, a goodly assortment of live 
stock, and the machinery necessary for cany ing on 
agriculture in a profitable manner. Helms been a 
resident of Nebraska since the spring of 1870, and 
is numbered among the leading citizens of Johnson 
County. 

Our subject, of English ancestry, is the son of 
John Kershaw, Sr.. who was born in England and 
when a small boy emigrated with his parents to 
America. They settled first in New York Slate, and 



thence a few years later pushed on further west- 
ward into Dul'age County, 111. The father of our 
subject lived with his brother until ready to go 
upon a farm of his own, and became proprietor in 
due time of a tract of land in Dane County, Wis. 
He remained a resident of the Badger State until 
1870, a period of nineteen years. In the spring of 
the year mentioned he came to this county and lo- 
cated upon the land which he had secured six years 
before. In the meantime lie had been married to 
Miss Alice Lee, of Illinois, and a native of En- 
gland, and to them were born five children, only 
four of whom are now living, and all residents of 
Nebraska. 

After coming to this county the elder Kershaw 
put up a fine residence in Tecumseh, where lie 
made his home until his death, which occurred 
Jan. 18, 1880. He was a man of more than ordi- 
nary capabilities, and prominent*in the communi- 
ties where he lived. In Wisconsin he officiated as 
Surveyor of Dane County and was also Treasurer 
of the School Board. His political sympathies were 
with the Democratic party, although he would not 
be confined to party lines, but aimed to support 
the men, whom he considered best qualified for 
office. 

Mrs. Alice (Lee) Kershaw, the mother of our 
subject, like her husband a native of England, was 
born in the city of Manchester, and came to Amer- 
ica upon the same vessel which transported her fu- 
ture husband hither. The Lees settled first in 
Massachusetts, where they lived a period of four- 
teen years; thence they removed to Wisconsin. 
John Kershaw, Sr., and his wife began their wedded 
life together in Dane County, Wis., and there their 
son John, the subject of this sketch, was born Jan. 
18, 1854. He was a youth of fourteen years when 
the family came to this State and completed his ed- 
ucation in the schools of Tecumseh. When start- 
ing out for himself he secured a portion of the land 
which comprises his present homestead, and which 
he has now occupied for a period of ten years. The 
improvements which the passing traveler beholds 
to-day with interest have all been effected by the 
present proprietor. Many of the fields are divided 
with beautiful hedge fencing, which adds so greatly 
to the picturesqueness of 'he landscape, and Mr. 
•>. 



-<- 



350 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Kershaw has planted an orchard of 450 trees with 
all kinds of the smaller fruits, which are mostly in 
good bearing condition. He has thirty acres of 
valuable timber. The residence would be an orna- 
ment to the modern city, being a tasteful structure 
of modern style of architecture, handsomely fin- 
ished and furnished. It was erected during the 
summer of 1884. 

The farm of Mr. Kershaw is well stocked, he 
keeping a herd of from forty to sixty cattle and 
ten to fifteen horses, besides a goodly number of 
swine. The lad}' who has presided over his do- 
mestic affairs since the spring of 1880 became his 
wife on the 3d of May, that year, and is the mother 
now of three interesting children — Charles J., Theo- 
dore P. and Earl. One child, a son. Albert, died 
in infancy. The wife of our subject was in her girl- 
hood Miss Anna Atkison, and was born Dec. 10, 
18G2, in Ohio, and is the daughter of James and 
Ruth (Darby) Atkison, who were natives of Vir- 
ginia. The mother is still living, but the father is 
dead. They came to Nebraska and settled in John- 
son County soon after the close of the late Civil 
War. The mother moved with her parents to Ohio, 
where she made the acquaintance of her future hus- 
band, Mr. A., who was a native of that State. 



1 ' ! 



JOSHUA CORE. Among the worthy and 
representative citizens of Spring Creek Pre- 
cinct, and as such especially worthy a place 
in a volume of this description, is the subject 
of this writing, who is the owner of a splendid farm 
of ICO acres, situated on section 9, township C, 
range 12 east. The birth of our subject occurred at 
Taylorsville, Spencer Co.. Ky., on the 14th of June, 
1829. He is the son of Rector and Amanda Gore, 
both of whom were born in Kentucky. 

The father of our subject was married three 
times, and became the father of ten children, five 
of whom survive, viz.: Joshua, John, Mildred, 
Cassia and Orville, the three latter residing in Cali- 
fornia. The father died in the year 1859. The 
mother of Joshua and John, who was his first 
wife, departed this life when our subject was about 
six years of age. After that event lie made his home 



with his grandfather, David Graff, with whom he 
went to Morgan County, III, upon that gentleman 
locating there. He was numbered among the pio- 
neers of that county, and continued there until his 
death. 

The education of our subject was acquired in the 
schools of Morgan County, 111., and when not thus 
engaged he was working on the farm. At the age 
of eighteen he began to learu the blacksmith trade, 
and continued to follow the same for about six 
years, since which time he has been continuously 
engaged in farming. He was united in marriage 
with Priscilla Shuff, near Jacksonville, Morgan 
County, Feb. 11, 1852. This lady was born near 
Berlin, Sangamon Co., 111., on the 9th of Novem- 
ber, 1834, and is the daughter of John and Ange- 
lina Shuff. Her parents were both Kentuckians. To 
our subject and wife have been born ten children, 
three of whom now live. These bear the following 
names: George II., William E. and Mattie E. Those 
deceased are: Eva B., John R., James H., Edwin V., 
Clara B., Susan L. and Angelina. 

After his marriage our subject continued to live 
in Morgan County, working at his trade, with 
which he linked farming pursuits. Later, in 1854, 
he removed to Cass County, remaining until the 
year 1861, when he went to Menard Count}', living 
there until 1884, when he came to this count}', set- 
tling upon his present farm, which he has brought 
to a very perfect state of cultivation and fertility, 
and which yields him under all ordinary circum- 
stances a large return for the labor that is bestowed 
upon it. 

The parmts of Mrs. Gore had ten children, 
of whom the following are living: Priscilla; John R., 
of Hodgeman County, Kan.; Ira, of Waverly, 111.; 
Mary H., the wife of AlphonsojWbite, of Hoxie, 
Ark.; Jesse L., who is in Nemaha County; Emma 
J., now Mrs. Joseph Smith, of the same county; 
Steven O. and Cynthia, both of Morgan County; 
and William, of Kansas City, Mo. 

Our subject and his devoted wife have passed the 
years of their companionship most happily in the 
oneness that makes such companionship desirable 
and helpful. Both are members and take an active 
interest in the Christian Church, of which our sub- 
ject is an Elder. Politically, he is a member of the 

•► 



f 



*fc 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



35 1 



G 



Republican party, and as such is energetic in the 
interests of tin.' party when occasion demands. He 
is a man of high character and personal worth, 
a public-spirited and much valued citizen. 

/p^RANTC. CATHCART is owner of eighty 
acres of prime land on section 17 in Spring 
Creek Precinct, where he has diligently la- 
bored since the spring of 1877. He is comparatively 
young in years, having been horn July 18, 1851, 
and possesses in common with the men around him 
the industry and perseverance necessary to success. 
He. comes of a good family, being the son of 
Robert and Catherine (Marshall) Cathcart, who 
were natives of Pennsylvania, and the father is now 
deceased. 

The Cathcart family is of Irish ancestry, while 
the mother of our subject traced her descent to 
Scotland and Germany. The paternal grandfather 
crossed the Atlantic in time to do good service in 
the Revolutionary War, and spent his last years in 
Pennsylvania. Of the ten children born to the 
parents of our subject five survive, namely: Jennie, 
the wife of John Cobb, of Pocahontas County, Iowa; 
Samuel 1!., a resident of Hutchinson, Kan.; James 
A., of Harvey County, that State; Perry, in Hutch- 
inson, and Grant C, of our sketch. 

Robert Cathcart served as a soldier in the Union 
Army during the late Civil War, and died in April, 
1863, at Memphis, Tenn., the result of hardship and 
exposure, he having been of strong constitution 
naturally. Prior to this, however, the parents. 
when Grant C. was a child five years of age, had 
removed to Rock Island County, 111., where our 
subject was reared to manhood mostly on a farm. 
He was given a practical education in the common 
schools, and when ready to establish a home and 
domestic ties of his own, was married, Sept. 28, 
187G, in Red Oak, Iowa, to Miss Lena Cantrall. 

The wife of our subject was born in Whiteside 
County, 111., Oct. 2, 1859, and is the daughter of 
John and Ellen (Straton) Cantrall, who were na- 
tives of Illinois and Vermont, and are now residents 
of Montgomery County, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Cathcart there have been born live children, four 



of whom are living, namely: Alice, Ruth, Robert 
and Grace. In the spring of 1876 our subject 
came with his family to Nebraska, sojourning near 
Brock until the spring of that year, when they took 
up their resilience in this county, and Mr. Cath- 
cart began working as a farm laborer in what is 
DOW Vesta Precinct. Two years later he moved to 
Nemaha County, where he lived about seven years, 
operating mostly on rented land. From there he 
came to his present homestead, which was compara- 
tively unimproved, and where, with the stimulus of 
ownership, he has labored to good advantage. His 
possessions are the result of his own perseverance 
and industry, and his career is watched with kindly 
interest by many friends, who bespeak for him en- 
tire success and a competence for the future. He 
votes the straight Republican ticket, and has served 
as School Director in his district, while lending his 
influence to those enterprises calculated to advance 
the welfare of his community. Both he and his es- 
timable wife are members in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



■^ag^rr 




mOLON BACON. One of the tinest farms in 
Vesta Precinct is owned and operated by 
the subject of this biography, who possesses 
the characteristics of industry and perse- 
verance in a marked degree, lie has good improve- 
ments, is out of debt, and thus should realize much 
enjoyment as a consequence. He is essentially a 
Western man, having been born in .Marion County, 
Iowa. Sept. 17, l!S."i7. His father. Daniel Bacon, 
now deceased, was a native of Illinois, ami spent 
his last years in Harper County. Kan., where his 
death took place April 1 1. 1888. The family is of 
English ancestry and traced their descent from 
Lord Bacon, three of whose nephews crossed the 
Atlantic, if is believed, prior to the Revolutionary 
War. and settled in Massachusetts. One of these 
invented a torpedo which exploded upon pressure. 
In order to carry out an experiment with his in- 
vention, he laid one under a large rock, but failing 
of the desired result, he stepped upon the torpedo 
and was blown to atoms. The fragments of the 
body were gathered up by the two brothers and 



f 



352 



^hS-* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



buried. One of these was the great-grandfather of 
our subject, and from them sprang the Bacons of 
America. The individual who met with this vio- 
lent death was unmarried. 

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood 
Mis> Elizabeth Nole; she was a native of < Ihio, and 
is a resident of Kansas. The parental household 
included eleven children, nine of whom are now 
living. Solon, our subject, acquired a common- 
school education in bis native county, and at an 
early age became familiar with farm pursuits. He 
accompanied bis parents to Page County. Iowa, in 
L868, when a lad of eleven years, and twelve years 
later made his way to this county, settling in 
April, 1880, upon the land which be now owns and 
Occupies. He was accompanied to thi* place by 
his young wife, having married. March 27, 1880, 
.Miss Minora Davis, who was born in Jay County, 
lud.. Oct. 1*. 1859. Mrs. Bacon is the daughter of 
William and K.llen (Woten) Davis, the father de- 
Ceased and the mother n iw a resident of Page 
County, Iowa. Her parents were natives of Indiana 
and Missouri respectively, and their household in- 
eluded seven children. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Bacon there have been born 
three children — Ora. Guy and Ona. The eldest is 
six years old and youngest ten months. Marshall 
Bacon, the elder brother of our subject, served as 
a Union soldier in the Civil War under command 
of lien. John A. Logan. lie is now engaged in 
farming in Gage County. Neb. Mr. Bacon, politi- 
cally, votes the straight Republican ticket, hut has 
carefully refrained from the cares and responsibili- 
ties of office, preferring to give his time and atten- 
tion to his farming interests. 

ffiOIIN E.BROWN. Thej-uhjccl of this sketch 
and his estimable wife represent property to 
the amount of a half-section of land in Hel- 
I ena Precinct, and have their pleasant and 
comfortable home on section 9. Of New England 
ancestry. Mr. Brown is a Western man by birth, 
his native place having been Aurora. 111., where be 
iirst opened bis eyes to the light April 18, 1838. 
The parents of our subject were Richard 1). and 



Charity E. (Howe) Brown, the father a native of 
New Hampshire and of English ancestry. lie was 
reared in the Dominion of Canada, but came over 
into the States, and subsequently made his way to 
Nebraska Territory, settling among the earliest pio- 
neers of this county. The year following be was 
joined by our subject, who came in July. 1858. 
The father died in Helena Precinct. .March 12. 
1879. 

Mrs. Charity E. Brown was horn in New York, 
and traced her ancestry to Germany. The parents 
were married in New York, passing their wedded 
life in Illinois and Nebraska. Their union was com- 
pleted by the birth of six children: John E.; James, 
who died when six months old; Phebe A., the wife 
of Delos Rogers, of Fremonl County, Iowa; Charles 
J., a resident of Central City, Neb.; Josephine. 
Mrs. ( ). K. Rogers, of Otoe County, and Eveline, 
Mrs. S. S. Saunders, of Antelope County. 

The subject of this sketch, upon coming to Ne- 
braska Territory, homesteaded eighty acres of land 
on the south half of the southwest quarter of sec- 
tion ( ,i. and commenced in earnest his battle with 
the primitive soil. Over a wide stretch of country 
there was little to be seen indicating the, presence 
of a white man. bis neighbors being few and far be- 
tween. He still owns and occupies the property 
which he then secured, although having doubled 
its original area. The year following he was mar- 
ried, June 20, 1859, and took up his residence with 
bis bride in Helena Precinct. 

Mrs. Brown, before her marriage with our sub- 
ject, was Mrs. .Marietta Campbell, the widow of W. 
A. Campbell, and the daughter of Charles and Rhoda 
Philpott. she was horn June 5, 1833, in Kentucky. 
Her fa tlier was a native of Louisville. Ivy.; after mar- 
riage he moved to Carroll County, Ohio. He was 
a tailor by occupation, and spent his last years in 
Ohio. The mother of Mis. P.rown died when she 
was quite young, and she was reared by her step- 
mother. She was married to Mr. Campbell in Ohio, 
and they resided for a time in Scott County. Iowa, 
whence they came to Nebraska Territory in the fall 
of 185fi. and settled on the land which now com- 
prises the homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Of 
her union with Mr. C. there were born two children. 
one of whom died at birth. Her son Jesse J. is a 



f 



i 



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JOHNSON COUNTY. 



353 






resident of Keith County, this Mate. .Mr. Camp- 
bell departed litis lite at his home in Helena Pre- 
cinct, in August, 1 858. 

Mrs. Brown was inn- of (lie first white women in 
her neighborhood, and obtained an intimate ac- 
quaintance with the difficulties and hardships of 
life in a new settlement. She labored hand in hand 
with her husband in building tip the homestead. 
fulfilling her duties as a pioneer wife and mother 
in the must admirable manner. Of her union 
with Mr. BrOWll there were bom three children: 
Charles II.. in Keith County; Mary E., the wife 
of Dr. T. C. Canine, a practicing physician of Shick- 
ley, this Stale, and Calvin 10. .who lives a! home. 

Mr. Brown received only a limited education in 
his youth, hut has been a reader all his life and kept 
himself posted upon current events. Both he and 
his estimable wife have watched with the warmest 
interest, the growth and development of Nebraska, 
and in the building up of one of its most desirable 
homesteads have contributed in no small degree to 
its reputation as a prosperous commonwealth. The 
farm is in a highly cultivated condition, and sup- 
plied with good buildings. Mr. Brown has been 
quite prominent in local affairs, serving as Consta- 
ble for a time. and has been a member of the School 
Hoard of his district a Dumber of years. 

Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for 
Lincoln, and has always been a member of the He- 
publican party. lie is a strong advocate of tem- 
perance, and for a period of four years was Wor- 
thy Chief Of a lodge of Good Templars in Helena 
Precinct, which was suspended sonic lime ago. 






ijSAAC IRWIN. Anion-- the pioneers of John- 
son County, who to-day occupy honored posi. 

1\ tions in the community, is the gentleman 
whose biography is herein sketched. His property 
is situated on section I, of Nemaha Precinct, 
where he owns a lirst-class farm comprising 120 
acres. Mr. Irwin first, came to this county in July 
of the year 1867, and soon determined to settle in 
Todd -Creek Precinct, and accordingly took up a 
homestead claim of ICO acres. This he improved, 




putting np a good set of farm buildings, fences, 
etc.. first selling eighty acres to Mr. Bartle, retain- 
ing 1 20 acres until the year 1880, when lie sold 
that in order to remove to his present property, 
which had a little breaking done to it, but which 
has been practically improved entirely by himself. 

Our .subject lakes pride in his stock, which is in- 
deed quite good. His herds number aboul seventy- 
live head, and he requires nearly everything he 
raises for their feed. lie is also engaged iii the 
breeding of horses extensively, and owns seven 
head, which are chiefly of the best, variety. 

Mr. Irwin remembers perfectly the first settle- 
ment made in the county, by his namesake and 
nephew, Isaac Irwin. Jr., who settled on section 3, 
in Nemaha Precinct, in 1859. lie built the first 
house and made the first improvements perfected 
in the county. Powan Irwin, brother of our sub- 
ject, was with him, and became one of the early 
settlers of the county. The same year Mr. Riga] 
settled, and for a time all camped together. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Hardin 
County. Ky.. on the 19th of April, 1K17, and lived 
there for about thirteen years. Then accompany- 
ing his parents in their journeying to Putnam 
County, Ind., he finished his education in the com- 
mon schools, which, although not extensive, was 
thoroughly practical. After Leaving the school he 
remained with his father upon the farm until he 
was about twenty-seven years old. About that 
time his father died, and he continued upon the 
same farm until after the death of his mother, 
which occurred in 1856. After thai event he sold 
the farm and came to this Stale, as noted above. 

In Putnam County, Ind., Dec. 21, 1844, Mr. Ir- 
win was united in marriage with Miss Maria Brit- 
tan, of Indiana, wdio bore him four children, of 
whom three are living. Their names are as fol- 
lows: Christian. Sarah and Susan. Newport, a son. 
died when twenty-two years old. Mrs. Irwin was 
the daughter of John Brittan, who was a farmer 
of Putnam County, Ind. She died after a wedded 
life of aboul Seven years, on the 25th of March. 
1851. 

The second marriage of our subject was celebrated 
on the I'.Mh of April. 1852, the lady of his choice 
being Miss Jane Leathermann. Of this union there 

■► 



35 1 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



-»- » -«- 



t 



have been bom thirteen children, of whom eleven 
are still living. Their names arc recorded as fol- 
lows: Maria, Mary, Smiley, Washington, ('icily. 
Rowan, Frances. John, Lavona, Nora and Isaac. 
Fourteen children in all are si ill living. 

Mrs. Irwin was horn in Putnam County, Ind. 
she is the daughter of John and Mary Leather- 
mann, also of Putnam County. Her father was a 
native of Kentucky, and by occupation a fanner. 
He died in the year 1880, at the age of seventy- 
five years, his wife having died about four years 
before him; she was four years older than he. 

The eldesl daughter of our subject, Christian, is 
happily married to Mr. John Ball, who is now in 
Tulare County, Cal., and they are the parents of 
eight children; Sarah is married to Mr. Wallace 
A. verett, a prosperous farmer on section 1, Todd 
Creek Precinct; they have three little ones, whose 
names are as follows: Clara. ( (the and Maud. Susan 
is now Mrs. William Burlington, and resides in 
California; they have one child, whose name is 
Isaac. 

Of the daughters of his second marriage. Maria 
was the wife of Thomas Reynolds, of Tulare County. 
Cal.; her husband died in 1885, leaving her with 
four children, whose names are: Mabel, Arthur. 
Porter and Bessie. Frances married William Will, 
of Pawnee County, and they have one son. who 
bears the name of John; Rowan is married and liv- 
ing in California: he is a prominent lawyer. The 
remainder of the children are unmarried. 

Isaac Irwin, the father of our subject, was horn 
in Virginia, and when a, young man accompanied 
his father when he removed to Nelson County. Ky. 
There he met and married Miss Ellen King. There 
were horn to them eleven children, nine of whom 
lived to attain years of discretion. Subsequently 
he removed to Hardin County, where he lived 
until he was fifty years old. then went to Putnam 
County. Ind. There he lived until his death, which 
occurred when he was eighty-four years of age. 
This event occurred just before our subject came 
to this State. Mr. Irwin followed agricultural pur- 
suits nearly all his life, lie was frequently called 
upon to till various offices, and is one of the promi- 
nent citizens of his district. The grandfather of 
our subject, John Irwin, was the first member of 



this family to leave the old English home for the 
New World, lie settled first in Virginia, after- 
ward removing as above noted to Kentucky, where 
he died in Nelson County about the year 1818. 

The subject of this sketch is a member of the 
Predestinarian Baptist Church, and is an ordained 
minister of the communion, and has preached for 
many years in Kansas and this State. He is an 
able and much valued citizen, much respected by 
all who know him. and looked up to by very many' 
as one of the capable and educated men of the dis- 
trict. When in Indiana he served as Justice of the 
Peace for some time, and in this State has held the 
office of School Director. He is deeply interested 
in all questions that concern the American people, 
and usually votes with the Democratic party. 



■waCfirtSSS" 



:?4 — H^Qtwmn. 



1 



OIINE. McDANNOLD In the northwestern 
part of Nemaha Precinct, and situated upon 
section 4, is a well-cultivated farm of eighty 
acres, which is not infrequently the occasion 
of remark and favorable comment from visitors 
and strangers in the neighborhood. It is the 
property of the subject of this sketch, who is cer- 
tainly a thoroughly practical and enterprising agri- 
culturist. He was born in Henry County, Mo., on 
the 30th of October, 1854, and lived there about 
three years, then accompanied his parents to Spring- 
field, 111., living with them upon various farms in 
the county until 1884. 

From the time of attaining his majority the sub- 
ject of our sketch had been farming upon his own 
account in the above district. His coming to Ne- 
braska dates from 1884, since which time he has 
labored earnestly and indefatigably to make his 
farm in every regard a model, with most gratifying 
success. His dwelling is conveniently and com- 
fortably arranged, and its site well selected. At 
least three acres are devoted to the orchard and 
fruit culture, and there may be found a large 
variety requiring special culture, in addition to 
those indigenous to the country and climate. Such 
fruits as apples, apricots, peaches and cherries are 
found in endless profusion. The remainder of his 



^l^«. 



■<- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



355 






farm is attentively looked after and well worked, 
and is equally responsive to his efforts. 

In Miss Ella Baldwin, of Sangamon County, 111., 
our subject conceived that lie had found the one 
who alone could make his life and home complete, 
and their marriage was celebrated upon the 2d of 
December, 1884. Their union has been more firmly 
welded, and the happiness of their home more 
assured, by the birth of their daughter, whose 
name is Nellie. Mrs. McDannold was born on 
the 28th of February, 1860, and is the daughter 
of William and Mary (Parkinson) Baldwin. Her 
father, a native of Sangamon County, followed 
the pursuits of husbandry from his youth, and was 
known as an enterprising farmer. 

Mr. and Mrs. McDannold are earnest and efficient 
members of the Christian Church, of Tecumseh, 
and highly respected in the community at large, as 
they are in the religious circle. The father of our 
subject, Reuben McDannold, was a native of Bour- 
bon County, Ky. ; the date of his nativity is re- 
corded as the 12th of February, 1831. When 
three years of age he was taken by his parents to 
Sangamon County, upon their migration thither- 
ward. In 1849 he went overland from St. Joseph 
to California, accomplishing the journey in ninety 
days, then considered a very quick trip. There he 
remained four years, enjoying success beyond the 
average. Returning, he settled in Springfield, and 
engaged in the lumber business for a time, and 
then went to Missouri. lie was the husband of 
Ann E. Dillon, to whom he was married on the 
20th of October, 1853. Of the nine children born 
to them, it was their privilege to see six arrive at 
years of maturity. After three years in Missouri, 
Sangamon Count}' again became their home, and 
continues to be. They are very devout members 
of the Church of the Disciples, at Springfield, and 
enjoy the respect of all who know them, by reason 
of their high Christian character, and also their 
social position. 

The subject of our sketch is a man who has 
made his way in the world as the result of laudable 
ambition, supplemented by intelligent endeavor. 
His character is of a high order, both demanding 
and gaining the esteem of his fellows. In the do- 
mestic and other relations of life, although perhaps 



not faultless, his endeavor is to approximate to 

that most desired plan of life: in society he is 
genial, courteous and a liable, and enjoys considera- 
ble popularity. 




ALTER E. SANDIFER. The city of Te- 
eumsell has, in the gentleman whose his- 
tory it is endeavored succinctly, and \ ct 
clearly, to set forth in the following lines, a worthy 
representative, and one who is progressive, enter- 
prising and capable as a business man. He was born 
in Carrollton, Ky.,on the 16th of September, 1864. 
lie received as good an education as was possible 
to be obtained at that place, supplementing it by a 
course of instruction at the William Jewell Col- 
lege, at Liberty, Mo. After graduation from that 
institution he went into the drug business at 
Whiteman, Mo., where he remained for two years, 
carrying on quite a remunerative establishment. 

Leaving Missouri, our subject went to Ft. Worth, 
Tex., where he engaged as a clerk for three years, 
during which time he obtained a thorough knowl- 
edge of the drug trade in its various departments, 
and became an expert prescriptionist. In the spring 
of 1883 he came to Tecumseh and bought a partner- 
ship with Mr. Glass. After about eighteen months he 
bought out a stock of drugs and moved into his pres- 
ent line brick store, which is so admirably arranged 
for his business, having been especially designed 
to be adapted thereto. He has, perhaps, the finest 
drug-store in the city. It is situated on the corner 
of Third and Clay streets, having been for some 
five years located at the present place. He has be- 
come firmly established, and enjoys a very exten- 
sive patronage. 

The father of our subject, J. W. Sandifer, was 
born in Odenburg. Ky., and was one of the en- 
terprising and prosperous dry-goods merchants of 
Graham, Mo. His early life was mostly spent in 
Carrollton, Ky. He was married to Allie Dough- 
erty, who presented him with four children, of 
whom the subject of this sketch was the second 
child born. He was both Councilman and Mayor 
of the city, but was reticent in the matter of poli- 
ties, although always cheerfully doing his duty as 
a citizen. He died at Ft. Worth. Tex., in Fcb- 



h 



*Jk^ 



356 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



ruary, 1883, having been bereaved of his wife since 
the year 1868, when our subject was but fouryears 
of age. He was a Mason of the Royal Arch, and 
as such had Idled various offices in the fraternity. 

The grandfather of our subject, Robert Dough- 
erty, was one of the prominent men of Carroll- 
ton, Ky., which was his home. He was an exten- 
sive farmer, and very successful. The family of 
which he was a member is one of the old families 
of the State, and representative of the best people 
connected therewith. 

As will he noticed, the subject of this sketch is 
quite a young man, being hut. twenty-four years 
of agfe. lie has. therefore, almost the best part of 
his life before him, and without doubt, arguing 
from that which is seen to that which is not seen, 
the result will he worthy of the past and of his 
family. He is very highly spoken of. and in mat- 
ters of business is of strictest integrity. lie is 
the leader of the Tecumsch military hand, and is 
quite popular there. In political matters he is in 
harmony with the principles of the Democratic 
party, and takes much interest therein. 'He has 
one sister living, Miss Minnie Sandifer. She is the 
only member of his family left him, and makes her 
home with her brother. 



-wv, ~\*&ej2.'&S@ 



>»£§J®<OTtf»v w~- 



ffiAMKN HENRY, of Lincoln Precinct, is one 
of the early pioneers of Johnson Count}', and 
also one of the valued citizens and success- 
'ISS*/' ful farmers of the county. His residence is 
upon his farm on section 3G, township 5 north, 
range 1 1 east, which comprises eighty acres of first- 
class land. He was horn in New York City on the 
10th of May, 1849, but was left an orphan while 
yet an infant, and was brought up in the New York 
City Orphan Asylum until he was eight years of 
age, when he was taken to Mason County, III., and 
bound out to a farmer, remaining with him some 
eight years. 

On the 1 1th of January, 1864, the subject of our 
sketch enlisted in Company A, of the 28th Illinois 
Infantry. Being sent to the front he saw considera- 
ble service and participated in the capture of 
Spanish Fort, the key to Mobile, He did duty princi- 



pally from Cairo down the Mississippi and into 
Texas, and was uonorabl}' discharged on the 14th 
of Jul}', 1865, only to re-enlist the same month in 
the regular army, continuing in the service for 
three years, during which time he did duty at Ft. 
Hamilton, N. Y., and Brownsville, Tex., and was 
also with the troops sent to the Canada side with a 
view of capturing the Fenians during the Fenian 
raid. 

In the spring of 1869 Mr. Henry came to Ne- 
braska, and for a time worked around on different 
farms, and also did some buffalo hunting, finally 
purchasing his present property of eighty acres and 
settling upon it. He was not easily daunted by 
difficulties and hardships, but it was only by dint 
of long-continued effort ami patient perseverance 
that he finally made it the good farm it is to-day. 

On the 24th of January, 1875, our subject was 
united in marriage, the lady of his choice being 
Carolines. Webb, who was born on the 11th of 
November, 1856, in Waukesha County, Wis. Mrs. 
Henry is the daughter of James and Fliza Webb, 
who reside in Todd Creek Precinct of this county. 
Her father is a native of England ; her mother is 
reputed to be the second white child born in the 
city of Milwaukee. Her father came to this coun- 
try when about eight years of age, and has been in 
the country over forty years. She was the 
eldest child of five born to her parents. Their 
names are given as follows: Caroline S., Walker. 
Delia, Ida and Bertha. 

Mr. Webb is a stanch and old friend of the Re- 
publican party, and in the late Civil War served 
for three years, in that time taking part in many 
engagements. He came to this county twenty-two 
years ago, being one of- the pioneers, and having 
his full share of the usual troubles to meet and dif- 
ficulties to overcome. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry 
there have come three children, whom we name as 
follows: Roy E. was born July 22, 1876; Nora B., 
June 21, 1878, and Myrl E., Aug. 16, 1887. 

Our subject with greatest possible credit to him- 
self from such an unpromising beginning has come 
to occupy his present position as a valued and 
respected member of the community. He has 
served his school district for six years as Director. 
In the G. A. R. he is an enthusiastic member. 



T 



.►4^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



-a* 



:;. r ,7 



4- 



Politically, be is an affiliate of the Republican 
party, and in church matters is, with his wife, an 
active, energetic member of the Baptist commun- 
ion. They are among the recognized interested 
winking members. 






(^pSHOMPSON M. PATTON, one of the younger 
m(&^\\ "'embers "' l '"-' farming community of Cen- 
^•ig^ ter Precinct, was born in Monroe County, 
\Y. Va.,Feb. 3, 1853, and was reared and educated 
in the district schools, lie crossed the Mississippi 
when a youth of nineteen years, taking up his abode 
in Iowa County, Iowa, where, with the exception 
of a year spent in Virginia, he resided for a period 
of ten years. Thence in the spring of 18JS2 he came 
to this county, and located on the land on section 7, 
from which he has eliminated a farm in which he 
may justly take pride. The industry with which 
he has labored is indicated in the convenient build- 
ings, the neat and substantial fences, and the facili- 
ties for watering stock evinced in the large and 
handsome windmill which was put up at considera- 
ble expense in the fall of 1887. The larger part 
of the ground has been stirred by the plowshare, 
and Mr. l'attou has sown grass seed for both hay 
and pasture. He has a fine start toward a compe- 
tence, and ranks among the most enterprising men 
of his precinct. 

While a resident of the Bawkeye State Mr. Patton 
was married, in Iowa County, Oct. 30, I 879, to Miss 
Jennie Koller. Mrs. Patton was born Feb. 1), 1 801, 
in Iowa County, Iowa, and is the daughter of John 
and Virginia (Skegs) Koller, who were natives of 
Switzerland and West Virginia. They came from 
Iowa to this county in the spring of 1880. The 
father was a farmer by occupation, and died at his 
home in Western Precinct, in January, 1888. The 
mother is still living, and resides near Crab Orchard. 
Mr. Patton, in addition to general farming, is greatly 
interested in stock-raising, and has a goodly herd 
of Short-horn and Durham cattle besides Poland- 
China swine. His property is free from incum- 
brance, and he has at least §1,500 worth of stock 
and chattels. He has officiated as Clerk of Center 
Precinct since 1887, and politically, votes the 



straight Democratic ticket. About 1877, while a 
resident of Iowa, he identified himself with the A. 
F. & A. M., and is still warmly interested in and a 
brave defender of the doctrines of the fraternity. 

Robert A. Patton, the father of our subject, in 
early manhood was married to Miss Emily Nickel), 
and is still living in Virginia. They became the 
parents of two children, and the mother died when 
her son Thompson M. was about live; years of age. 
lie received about §1,000 from his mother's estate, 
which he invested in a wise and judicious manner. 
Before receiving this he had been thrown upon his 
own resources since a mere lad, chiefly looking out 
for himself. That spirit of self-reliance which was 
then formed within him has aided greatly in his 
later successes. He is ranked among the solid men 
of Center Precinct, one who, if spared, will leave 
his mark in the community where he resides. 



-w — tiaactgig-*' 



@£<2/<3 , zra».~'W'v» 



jj^ENRY HOWARTH, a leading land-owner 

of Spring Creek Precinct, possesses the war- 
rantee deed to 960 acres lying mostly in the 
&)} above precinct, and has a span of valuable 

llaiiihletonian horses, together with other tine stock. 
in which industry he has been remarkably success- 
ful. l"pon coming to this county, in the fall of 
1873, he purchased a half-sect ion of land for the 

sum of $2,300, and gradually added to his posses- 
sions to the extent named. lie is a self-made man 
in the strictest sense of the word, being the archi- 
tect of his own fortune and from the first depend- 
ent upon his own exertions. 

A native of the town of Blackburn, Lancashire, 
England, our subject was born Feb. 24, 1844, and 
is the son of John W. and Alice (Abbott) l-Iow- 
arth, who were also of English birth and ancestry. 
The mother died about 1880, in .Mason County, 
111., and three children of the family are living, 
namely: William, a resident of Illinois; Elizabeth, 
living in Illinois, and our subject. 

In the spring of 1847, John rlowarth, bidding 
adieu to his friends ami associations in Old En- 
gland, started with his family for America, em- 
barking on a sailing-vessel and landing in the city 
of New Orleans several weeks later. Thence thej 



J » «• 



-4^ 



-•» 



i ) 358 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4- 



4 



came up the M is>issii>i>i River to Illinois and set- 
tled in Mason County, where the father purchased 
eighty acres of land at $1.25 per acre. He then 
commenced in earnest his straggle upon the uncul- 
tivated prairie, and by untiring industry, economy 
and perseverance, in due time built up a comfort- 
able homestead and became the owner of a large 
estate. He was born in 1812, and is still living, 
being now well advanced in years. He acquitted 
himself during the active years of his life as a use- 
ful and public-spirited citizen, ever ready to en- 
courage the worthy enterprises calculated for the 
general good, and became thoroughly identified 
with the interests of his adopted country. In his 
declining years he is surrounded by all life's com- 
forts, including hosts of friends. He is a well-edu- 
cated man, having attended scbool in the city of 
London for a number of years. 

Receiving but a limited education, our subject 
spent his early years in the Prairie State, assisting 
in the development of the farm, and was a youth 
seventeen years of age at the outbreak of the 
Civil War. The year following he proffered his 
services as a Union soldier, enlisting Aug. 9, 1862, 
at Peoria, 111., in Company D, 85th Illinois In- 
fantry, which was assigned to the army of Gen. 
Sherman, the corps Commander being at that time 
Gen. Thomas. Company D for a time operated 
as sharpshooters, and young Ilowarth participated 
in many of the important battles of the war, 
meeting the enemy at Peachtree Creek, Mission 
Ridge, the sieges of Knoxville and Atlanta, and 
at the latter place received a wound in his left 
arm. Sept. 1, 1864. He was confined in the hos- 
pital some months, not being able to fight any 
more, and received an honorable discharge May 
20, I860. 

Mr. Ilowarth after having been transferred from 
a soldier into a civilian returned to his old haunts 
in Illinois, and resumed farming with his father 
until his marriage, which took place June 20, 
1867, The maiden of his choice was Miss Rebecca 
J. Sisson. who was born Feb. 11, 18-48, in Illinois, 
and is the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth 
(Jones) Sisson. The father spent his last years in 
Illinois: the mother resides in Mason County. 111. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ilowarth spent the first five years of 
*•- 



their wedded life in .Mason County. 111., and then 
moved, in the fall of 1X72, to Faribault County. 
Minn. Mr. Ilowaiih there occupied himself at 
fanning until the fall of 1X73, then turned his 
steps southward and purchased a half-section of 
laud in this county, where his interests have since 
centered. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there were 
born ten children, seven of whom are living, viz: 
John II.. William F., Elizabeth A.. Bessie A., 
Charles K.. Barbara A. and James L. With the 
exception of five years spent in Tecumseh, where 
he was engaged as a stock-dealer. Mr. Ilowarth has 
been a resident of Spring Creek Precinct since 
coming to this county. He is a stanch Democrat, 
politically, and socially, belongs to Little Phil Post 
No. 270, G. A. R., at Tecumseh. During the sum- 
mer of 1886 he crossed the Atlantic and visited the 
scenes of his childhood and youth, making the 
voyage in a much speedier and more comfortable 
manner than that which distinguished his first ex- 
perience as a trans-Atlantic traveler. A true pa- 
triot, he hastened back in time for the November 
elections. 



—■V- 



#~t* 



( )N. WASHINGTON ROBB is widely and 
favorably known throughout Johnson 
County as a man having borne no unim- 
portant part in its growth and develop- 
ment, socially, morally and financially. He is the 
owner of a fine estate which mostly consists of 
valuable farm property, comprising 200 acres of 
land with the homestead located on section 8, in 
Spring Creek Precinct. The essential points in a 
career of more than ordinary interest are as fol- 
lows: 

Mr. Robb was born in Warren County, Ind.. 
May 4, 1837. and is the son of Robert and Mary 
A. (Russell) Robb, the former a native of Ken- 
tucky, but reared in Ohio, and the mother a native 
of the town of Chillicothe, the latter State. The 
Robb family is of Scotch ancestry, while the 
Russells traced their descent to England. Thomas 
Robb. the paternal grandfather of our subject, car- 
ried a musket in the War of 1812, and spent his 



? +_w < • 



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i^lK-* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



359 



last years in DeKalb County, 111. The great-grand- 
father was born in Scotland, and upon emigrating 
in America early in life settled in Mercer County, 
Pa., from which branch of the family sprang all 
the Robbs of America. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest in a 
family of seven children, five of whom are living. 
namely: Thomas, of Tecumseh, this State; Law- 
rence, a resident of Johnson County; Elizabeth E., 
the wife of James Robbing, of Tecumseh, Neb.; Re- 
becca J., Mrs. W. G. Swan, of Auburn, and Wash- 
ington, our subject. The latter was the eldest of 
the family, and was three yeai - s old when his par- 
ents removed from Ohio to DeKalb County, 111. 
The father secured a tract of land in that county, 
and there our subject was reared to manhood, re- 
ceiving a fair education in the common schools. 

When a youth of eighteen years Mr. Robb be- 
came a student of Rock River Seminary in Ogle 
County, where he closely applied himself to study 
one year, and upon leaving the college commenced 
teaching. In the spring of 1 85 9, desirous of seeing 
the country west of the Mississippi, he made his 
way to Pike's Peak, where he sojourned about six 
months, and occupied himself at mining. Thence 
he went into Hamilton County, Mo., where he 
taught school seven months, and thereafter wasoc- 
cupied at farming until the outbreak of the Civil 
War. 

On the 27th of July, 1862, .Mr. Robb enlisted as 
a Union soldier in Company 6,95th Illinois In- 
fantry, and participated in many of the important 
battles of the war. being at the siege of Yicksburg, 

the battle of Nashville, and in the Mobile cam- 
paign, lie was chiefly assigned to detached service, 
as a clerk in the various adjutant offices, and re- 
mained in the army until after the close of the war, 
receiving an honorable discharge in Springfield, 

111., in October. L865. 

In the fall of the year above mentioned Mr. 
Robb wended his way to Nebraska Territory, and 
at once homesteaded 160 acres of land in Spring 
Creek Precinct, this county. He settled upon it 
before a furrow had been turned, and began as besl 
he could its improvement and cultivation, in the 
meantime em ploy inn' the winter months as a teacher, 
farming and teaching alternately since that time 



until about two years since. He has been a man of 
great energy and perseverance, and. as may be sup- 
posed, has had his mind and hands full with his 
farming interests and his duties as a public in- 
structor. He bears the distinction of being the 
pioneer pedagogue of this county, and probably 
there are few living now in the county who taught 
school within its limits before Nebraska was ad- 
mitted into the Union as a State. 

The subject of our sketch was married, Jan. 1, 
18G8, in DeKalb County. 111., to Miss Amelia 
Gault. This lady was born Oct. 27. 1844, in De- 
Kalb County, 111., and is the daughter of William 
and Emeline (Shattuck) Gault, the former a native 
of Ohio, and the mother of New York State. The 
Gault family isof Scotch ancestry, while the mother 
of our subject traced her descent to England. Mr. 
Gault settled in Illinois during its pioneer days, 
and subsequently fought in the Black Hawk War. 
He and his estimable wife spent their last years in 
DeKalb County, 111. 

Mr. and Mrs. Robb commenced thejourney of 
life together at the farm which they now own anil 
occupy, which it is hardly necessary to state bore at 
that date little resemblance toitspresent condition. 
Of their union there have been born eight children, 
who are recorded as follows: Avery I), is a stu- 
dent in the Normal School at Peru; Robert E. died 
when about eighteen years old; Joy W.. Earl G., 
Lura, Fred L., Harry II and Russell R. are at home 
with their parents. Mr. Robb has been prominent 
in the affairs of his county and precinct, servino-as 
Assessor five years, and officiated one term as Jus- 
tice of the Peace, lie has been a member of the 
School Board Of his district for a period of twenty 
years. There have been few worthy enterprises 
which he has not fostered and encouraged. In 
November. 1887, he was made the nominee of the 
Republican party in his district for the Stale Legis- 
lature to Mil a vacancy, and at the expiration of 
this term was regularly re-elected in November, 

L888. Socially, he belongs to Post No. 104, G. A. 
I!., at Talmage, in Otoe County. He lias always 
taken a warm interest in the order, filling various 
offices. 

Mrs. Robb is a most estimable and intelligent 

lady in all respects, both by training and edu- 



**^h*+ 



•► ir^ 



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360 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



cation the suitable partner of her husband. She 
likewise was employed as a teacher fifteen terms in 
succession, mostly in DeK.ilb County, 111., but also 
taught in Boone County, that State, and in Bremer 

County, Iowa. 



. vj . •^-^/-^-V , c » l 



UrlLLIAM WALLACE JOBES, whoisoneof 
the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of 
WW Todd (reek Precinct, has been identified 
with the county since the days of the pioneer, lie 
owns an extensive and productive farm on section 
20, comprising 160 acres. He was born in Onon- 
daga County. N. Y.. on the 28th of January, 1831. 
When hewas five years of agehis parents removed 
to Erie County, in the same State, where he was 
■ brought up and made his home until he attained 
his majority, receiving his education in the schools 
of that county, and also making other preparations 
that would enable him to fill his place in life. 
Leaving home, he went to Buffalo, where he be- 
came a clerk in a store, remaining there live years, 
when he left to go west into Illinois, and for a 
time was engaged in the city of Chicago. After- 
ward he went to Knox County, 111., and engaged 
in fanning, continuing in the same until Aug. 11, 
1862, when he enlisted. 

Our subject served in Company G, 83d Illinois 
Infantry, which regiment became part of the Army 
of the Cumberland. For three years he served in 
all the campaigns in which that division of the 
Union forces engaged. In the fall of 1863 he met 
with an accident, by which his ankle was broken. 
After his recovery he carried mail for the army 
until he was discharged, on the 24th of June, 
186;"), at the conclusion of hostilities. He then re- 
turned to Knox County and continued his farming 
until he removed to Mercer County, where he lived 
for five years, and then sold out and removed to 
his present place in December, 1875. Purchasing 
it in the latter part of February of the following 
year, he took up his permanent residence on the 
4th of March. 

All the improvements made by our subject upon 
his property are his own work. He now has about 
ten acres of forest trees, also a good apple orchard, 



T 



which, in addition, contains all the usual small 
fruits. He built his present residence, which would 
be a credit to a much more pretentious farm, in the 
year 1881. The same year he put up a windmill, 
and effected several other very important improve- 
ments. He has a hedge all around his farm, which 
he takes pride in keeping in nice trim and shape. 
He also keeps a very fine herd of cattle, and has a 
somewhat extensive dairy. 

The subject of our sketch was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Amanda Buffum.of Knox County. 
111., on the 29th of December, 1870, of which 
union there have been born six children, of whom 
four are still living. These bear the names ap- 
pended below: Willie, Lizzie, .lay and Nettie. 
They have also living with them a niece. .Miss 
Olive A. Stevens, of Yates City, Knox Co., 111. 
Their children are all at home, laying up in the 
matter of education a store of knowledge that shall 
serve in future days. 

The wife of our subject was born in Knox 
County, 111., on the 29th of August, 1841. She i.s a 
daughter of Stephen and Ester Buffum, one of the 
pioneer families of that county, having settled 
there in 1835. Their daughter lived with them 
until her marriage. The maiden name of Mrs. 
Buffum was Ester Maun, and she was born at Ashta- 
bula, Ohio. They became the parents of eight 
children. Mr. Buffum died in the year 1871, aged 
sixty-nine years; his wife departed this life in 
1.S15. 

The father of our subject, .lames .lobes, was born 
on the 2d of May, 1808, in the State of New York. 
There, as a young man, he married Miss Jeanette 
Candee. Their family circle included ten chil- 
dren, of whom eight are still living. He went to 
Onondaga County, and thence to Holland Bur- 
chase, Erie County, N. Y. In 1855 he went to 
Kendall County, 111., and from there to Knox 
County, then moved to Mercer County, and then 
back to Knox County, where he still lives, in Sum- 
mit Station, twenty miles from Oalesburg. In 
politics he was an "old-time" Whig, but has been 
a Republican for many years. 

The mother of our subject is the daughter of 
Eber Candee. of New York. She was born in Con- 
necticut, -Ian. IS. 1810, and went to New York 

H 



I 



.►-n^ 



.JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4- 



301 



with her parents when she was young. She is now 
seventy-eight years of age, and makes her home at 
Summit, 111. 

James Jobes, the grandfather of our subject, was 
born in Connecticut, and when still a young man 
migrated to Pompey, N. V.. where he bought and 
improved a farm, upon which he lived until his 
death. He was united in marriage with Miss Mel- 
vina Prine (now spelt Pryne), and they became 
the parents of several children. He was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years 

was esteemed one of its chief supports. 

Our subject is one of the prominent citizens of 

his district, and is held in high esteem by his fel- 
low-citizens. He is a man of honor, ability and 
success. He has been frequently called upon to 
till different Offices, and has usually voted with the 
Republican party. He was for .1 time Collector of 
the township. In every relation, office or under- 
taking, he has apparently been guided by the 

same high principle and sense of duty. 







RANKLIN TAYLOR. The pioneer element 
of .Johnson County embraces no worthier 
representative of its early history than the 

subject of this .sketch. lie owns and occupies a 
g 1 homestead on section 18, Todd Creek Pre- 
cinct, his farm c prising 160 acres of land under 

a thorough state of cultivation, lie has seen the 
country around develop from an unimproved prai- 
rie to the homesteads of an intelligent community, 
and no man has rejoiced more at the prosperity of 
his adopted Slate. 

Our Subject firs! set fool upon the soil of Ne- 
braska in February, 1868, the year after it had been 
converted from a Territory to a Stale. He was ac- 
companied on his journey to this county by his 
wife, and they went to housekeeping in a rude 
structure, which has withstood the ravages of over 

twenty years, and which slip remains standing on 
the southeast, part of the farm. 

Mr. Taylor, however, left this first place after 
occupying it eight months, ami moved to the east- 
ern part of the precinct, taking up his abode on 

section 6, where he purchased a tract of Oovern- 

-4* — 



incut land and commenced its improvement. Be- 
coming homesick, however-, a few months later, he 
returned to Illinois, and lived in Knox County on 
his farm until the fall of 1879. Then coming back 
I.. Nebraska he purchased first eighty acres of the 
farm which he now owns, and subsequently added 
thereto another eighty acres. This he has brought 
to a thorough state of cultivation, and upon if has 
erected good buildings and set out groves, which are 
need.. I upon cver\ faun in this part of Nebraska. 
He now has nearly ten acres of solid forest, from six 
or eight years old to twenty years, and which con- 
stitutes a very valuable piece of limber. The pres- 
ent appearance of the land is widely different from 
what it was when Mr. Taylor first looked upon it. 
there being then nothing large]- than a blade of 
grass, lie has also planted an orchard of four 
acres, and around his dwelling are all kinds of the 
smaller fruit trees. These are all well developed 
and in good bearing condition, yielding each in 
their season most luscious fruits for the household. 
The present residence of our subject is a sub- 
stantial two-Story frame structure, which was com- 
pleted in the fall of 1880, and is Finished in modern 
style, being both handsome and convenient. The 
farm fences are mostly of hedge and wire, giving 
to the premises an exceedingly neat, appearance. Mr. 
Taylor of late years has given his attention mostly 
to live stock, and has taken a new departure some- 
what from that, of his neighbors, being largely en- 
grossed in sheep-raising, keeping from 300 to 550 
head. He also has a number of horses, and a 
goodly herd of cattle. His premises present the 
picture of the well-to-do and intelligent agricultur- 
ist, who makes hay while the sun shines, and neg- 
lects no opportunity to keep himself posted upon 

the matters pertaining to his calling. 

A native of Knox County. III., our subject was 
b.iin \)<-f. 17, 1840, and received a practical edu- 
cation ill the Common schools. He assisted his 
father in the labors of the farm, and lived at home 
until after the outbreak of the Civil War. (In the 
I 1th of August. 1*112, he enlisted in defense of his 
country, in Company G, 88d Illinois Infantry, and 
Served nearly three years, being mostly employed 
along the Cumberland River after the guerrillas, 
and gained a good insight into the privations and 



T 



•*-!-«♦ 



■•* 



4- 



302 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



hardships of army life. He fortunately escaped 
wounds and capture, and at the close of the war 
received his honorable discharge, July 5, 1865. 

Mr. Taylor upon laying aside the implements of 
war returned to the peaceful pursuits of farm life 
in Knox Count}', 111., where he lived until coming 
to Nebraska. In Knox County he was married to 
Miss Margaret Ann Stanton, the wedding taking 
place at the home of the bride, Oct. 10, 1866. Mrs. 
Taylor is the daughter of a prominent citizen of 
that county, whose history will be noted in a 
sketch of Michael Stanton, found elsewhere in this 
volume. Of this union there were born nine chil- 
dren, eight of whom are living, namely: Elsie A., 
Clifford M., Ira O, Katie L., Irene G., Floyd F., 
Lora and Edith. They are all at home with their 
parents, and form a remarkably intelligent and in- 
teresting group. They have been given a good 
practical education, and will in due time take their 
places in the community among its most honored 
citizens. Mr. Taylor votes the straight Democratic 
ticket, and has held the various local ollices, serv- 
ing as Collector, Commissioner, Assessor and 
School Director, until he refused to have his name 
again brought up as a nominee. 

Andrew 15. Taylor, the father of our subject, 
was born in New Jersey, Nov. 23, 1817, and when 
four years of age removed witli his parents to 
Fairfield County, Ohio. He there lived until a 
youth of seventeen years, then took to the lakes 
and followed the water for a period of six years. 
Then migrating to Knox County, 111., he engaged in 
farming, and there spent the remainder of his days. 
He was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree, in 
May, 1885, when about sixty-eight years oid. He was 
a man prominent in his community and highly re- 
spected, holding tin' township offices, and positions 
of trust and responsibility. The wife and mother, 
Mrs. Philomela (Egan) Taylor, was born in Madison 
County, Ohio, in October, 1821, and lived there 
until her marriage. She was the daughter of Michael 
Egan, who spent his last years in Illinois. Of her 
union with Andrew Taylor there were born eighl 
children, seven of whom lived to mature years. 
The mother passed away twenty years before the 
decease of her husband, her death taking place at 
1 ' the old homestead in Knox County, III., in Decern- 



*t 




ber, 1865. Both were I'niversalists in religious 
belief. The paternal grandfather of our subject, also 
named Andrew Taylor, was a native of New York 
State, born in 1778, and migrated first to New 
Jersey and thence to Ohio, being one of the earliest 
pioneers of the Buckeye State. He was twice mar- 
ried, his last wife, from whom our subject is de- 
scended, being a Mrs. Bassett. He was a successful 
farmer, and built up for himself a good homestead 
out of the wilderness in Ohio. The last few years 
of his life were spent with his son Andrew, in Illi- 
nois, where his death took place in 1848. 



JHOMAS II. MATTHEWS, a prosperous far- 
mer in good circumstances, and a resident of 
Spring Creek Precinct, came to Nebraska in 
the spring of 1880 with a capital of $4 in his pocket. 
He located first in Nemaha County, and operated 
for two years on rented land. In the spring of 
1882 he took possession of his present farm, on sec- 
tion 25, where his labors have been prospered, and 
where his perseverance and energy have gathered 
around him all the comforts of life and many of its 
luxuries. His farm is considered as among the 
finest in the county, and is a standing monument 
to his energy and resolution. He has effected many 
improvements since taking possession here, and is 
numbered among the leading men of his precinct, 
being held in the highest respect by all who know 
him. 

Chester County, Pa., was the birthplace of our 
subject, where he first opened his eyes to the light 
March 14, 18 <6. His parents, William and Mary 
(llannum) Matthews, were natives respectively of 
Maryland and Pennsylvania, and his paternal an- 
cestors were of Irish descent. On his mother's side 
he traces his ancestry to Germany. The parental 
household consisted of fourteen children, seven of 
whom are living, namely: Ebenezer, of Fulton 
County, 111.; Thomas II., our subject; Martha, the 
wife of Hartford Meislion, of this county; Ettie, 
Mrs. James Trickey, of Fulton County, III.; 
Jenette, now Mrs. Marshall, also in that county; 
Laura, the wife of George Hughes, and Scott, of 
Helena Precinct, this county. The parents removed 



«•■ 



t 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



365 



from Pennsylvania, and settled in Fulton County, 
111., in the fall of 1843, being among its earliest 
pioneers. They are still living, the father now hav- 
ing attained his fourscore years, and the mother 
being seventy -seven. The}- make their home with 
their daughter, Mrs. Trickey, and are surrounded 
by hosts of warm friends whom they have gathered 
around them during their long residence in Fulton 
County, and where they have acquitted themselves 
as praiseworthy citizens. Both are members of 
the Presbyterian Church, and the father, politically, 
is a stanch Republican. 

Our subject was reared to manhood amid the 
pioneer scenes of Fulton County, 111., acquiring 
his education in its primitive schools, which were 
far inferior to those of the present day. He has, 
however, been a lifelong reader of books and news- 
papers, and has always kept himself well posted 
upon the important topics of the day. He was 
reared to farm life, which he has followed content- 
edly most of the time since starting out for him- 
self. 

Mr. Matthews remained a member of the parental 
household until September, 1858. When ready to 
establish a home of his own he took unto himself a 
wife and helpmate, Miss Sarah A. Holmes, to whom 
he was married in Fulton County, 111., Sept. 30, 
1858. Mrs. Matthews was born in Fulton County, 
111., Nov. 25, 1810, and is the daughter of Thomas 
ami Rachel A. (Deny) Holmes, who were natives 
of Kentucky and Virginia, and the former of whom 
died in 1882, in Fulton County. The mother is 
with her son William in this county. The family 
included eight children, who are now in Arkansas, 
Nebraska and Illinois. 

Mr. and Mrs. Matthews commenced the journey 
of life together in Fulton County, 111., and Mr. M. 
engaged in fanning until the spring of 1875. 
Then, in partnership with Mr. Hughes, of Fulton 
County, he engaged in the lumber business at 
Table Grove, 111., they operating together about 
two years, under the firm title of Matthews 
& Derham. Our subject then purchased the inter, 
est of his partner in the business, and operated 
alone two 3'ears. Then selling out he engaged 
in the grocery trade at Table Grove, forming again 
a partnership with Mr. Hughes, and finally buy- 



ing him out as before. Mr. Matthews conducted 
this business one year, but not meeting with the 
success he desired withdrew, and resolved to re- 
sume agricultural pursuits. 

Our subject has met with good success on the 
soil of Nebraska, of which he has the highest opin- 
ion, His farm embraces 160 acres of good land 
with a substantial residence, a good barn, fruit and 
shade trees, and all the other things necessary for 
the comfort of himself and his family. The latter are 
as follows: Albert G. ; Ella, Mrs. John A. Foley, in 
Decatur County, Kan., and John in Spring Creek 
Precinct, this county; Thomas E., Locy and Annie 
remain with their parents; Harry is deceased. 

Mr. Matthews, politically, supports the principles 
of the Democratic parly, and while a resident of 
Illinois was quite prominent in local affairs, officiat- 
ing as School Director, and filling other positions 
of trust and responsibility. Both he and his esti- 
mable wife take an active interest in the projects 
calculated for the general welfare of their commu- 
nity, and are thus contributing their share toward 
the building up of one of the most prosperous pre- 
cincts in Johnson County. 



*%** 



^OIIN E. BARRET, of Sterling Precinct, is 
numbered among its solid and reliable men, 
and one whose industry and perseverance in 
(figg / building up a fine homestead have been 
crowned with success. He was born in Cass Count} - , 
III., in 1849, and when a youth of sixteen years 
stalled out for himself. First making his way 
across the Mississippi he sojourned in Nemaha 
County, Neb., while the latter was still a Territory, 
for a few months, then returned to Illinois, and from 
there migrated to Kansas. He traveled around 
considerably until the fall of 1 869, and then, although 
only twenty years of age, became interested in the 
cattle business with Col. John Williams, who was at 
tint time President of the First National Bank of 
Springfield, 111. His headquarters now were in 
Marion County, Kan., for a period of two years. 
He then returned again to his native State, sojourn- 
ing there two years in Cass County. 

In the fall of 1874 we find Mr. Barret a resident 



-►^h- «« 



* 




366 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4 



of this county, located in its southeastern corner 
where he was engager! in farming until the spring 
of 1881. Then having been satisfied that he could 
live comfortably in Nebraska possibly for the re- 
mainder of his days, he secured 100 acres of land 
on section 1 1 , and commenced the labors which have 
been fruitful of such rich results. For a man who 
started in life with but very little money it cannot 
be denied that Mr. Barret has done well. In 1886 
he purchased a half-section of land in Pawnee 
County, which he still retains. 

Nine years ago, on the 2d of October, 1879, our 
subject was united in marriage with Miss Alice 
Kershaw, who was born in 1854, and is the daughtei 
of John and Alice (Lee) Kershaw, natives of En- 
gland. The father is now deceased; the mother 
resides in this county. Mrs. Barret is now the 
mother of two interesting children : Nellie, born 
Jan. 1, 1881, and Woodson, Feb. 11, 1882. The 
abode of this little family is one of the most at- 
tractive in the precinct where they reside, and is 
the frequent resort of the many friends they have 
made through the exercise of a cheerful and generous 
hospitality. Mr. Barret in addition to general 
farming still maintains his interest in fine stock, and 
is making a specialty of Short-horn cattle, besides 
Hambletonian and Pcreheron horses. His swine, 
of which he keeps quite a number, are of the favor- 
ite Poland-China breed. Our subject is a man of 
fine natural abilities and good mental capacities, 
which received excellent culture in the Western 
University at Bloomington, 111., where he completed 
his education. He keeps himself well informed 
upon current events, and although no politician 
gives his conscientious support to the principles 
of the Democratic party. Among the views of rep- 
resentative places of Johnson County presented in 
this volume may be found that belonging to Mr. 
Barret. 



ZEKTEL A. BROWN, Of Todd (reek Pre- 
cinct, deserves more than a passing notice, 
/!' — ^ i as he is one of those men who have been no 
unimportant factors in bringing Johnson County 
to its present condition, lie owns ami occupies a 
"null farm of 160 acres on section 6, where lie set- 



tled in the fall of 1809, soon after landing, about 
October 6th of that year, in the young State of 
Nebraska. For this property he had traded a farm 
in Illinois, and although it was nothing but an un- 
cultivated prairie, he had faith in the future of 
Nebraska, and set about the development of a 
homestead, with high hopes for the future. Al- 
though a man seldom realizes his anticipations Mr. 
Brown will probably acknowledge that his were 
little greater than the reality. The labor of years 
has been amply rewarded, our subject finding him- 
self now in the possession of a fine property, with 
the prospect of case and comforl in his old age. 

There are few more desirable homesteads in Todd 
Creek Precinct than the property of Mr. Brown. 
The farm is enclosed with a beautiful hedge fence. 
Near the house especially this is kept closely 
trimmed and smooth, and supported here and 
there with a handsome evergreen or shrub. The 
dwelling, although not elegant perhaps, is conveni- 
ent and comfortable in every respect, and there 
stands at the rear one of the finest barns in the pre- 
cinct, built in modern style and furnished with 
every convenience for the care especially of fine 
horses. It is neatly painted in while, with green 
blinds, and is a structure affording vastly more 
comfort to the animals which it shelters than that 
afforded to hundreds of less fortunate human be- 
ings. Not far from the residence is ten acres of 
forest, planted by the hand of the proprietor. Mr. 
Brown also set out an apple orchard, and has trees 
of the smaller fruits, which yield abundantly in 
their season. He. however, gives his principal at- 
tention to live stock, making a specialty of draft 
horses, and also keeps sheep, cattle and swine. 

Mr. Brown is recognized in his community as a 
man of more than ordinary ability, but carefully 
avoids the responsibilities of office, refraining from 
meddling with polities, otherwise than casting his 
vote with the Republican party. He. however, has 
discharged the duties of the various school and 
precincl offices, because able to perform their duties 
perhaps better than a stranger. 

Mr. Brown, although having accomplished al- 
most a life's labor, is still in his prime, having been 
born July 15, 1837. His birthplace and early home 
were in Jefferson County. Ohio, where he received 



«■ J 



veil - ' 



•►Hl^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



367 



4ia 
wl 



his education ami Lived until 1861, occupied in 
farming pursuits. In the fall of the year mentioned 
he left his native State, emigrating to the vicinity 
of Peoria, 111., and purchasing a tract of land, which 
he operated a period of eighl years. From there 
be came to Nebraska. In the meantime, duringthe 
Civil War, lie enlisted, .Inly 27. 1862, in the 8Cth 
Illinois Infantry, and met the enemy at the battles of 
Peiayville, Chickamauga and other important hat- 
ties, besides going partially through the Atlanta cam- 
paign. AtKenesaw Mountain he was wounded in 
his right shoulder, and sent to the hospital at ( 'halta- 

nooga, being later removed lo Nashville. Tenn., and 
thence to Camp -loe Holt in Indiana. His hospital 
experience embraced a period' of seven months, and 
he was then obliged to accept an honorable dis- 
charge for disability. From this wound he still 
suffers at intervals. 

Our subject chose for his bride a lady of his native 
State, .Miss Ruth Fuller, to whom he was married 
in Guernsey County, 'Ohio, July •_'7, 1858. This 
union resulted in the birth of seven children, six 
of whom are living, namely: .lane. Margaret, Sally, 
Grant, George and Amy. The eldest daughter is 
the wife of Luke Lytic, of Kansas, and they are the 
parents of four children; Sally married Jefferson 
Stover, of Table Rock, and they have one child. 

Mrs. Ruth (Fuller) Brown was born in Guernsey 
County, Ohio, Jan. 21. 1880, and is the daughter 
of Thomas and Mary (Johnson) Fuller, the former 
of whom was also a native <>f the Buckeye state, 
and lived there with his family until Hie spring of 
1861. Then he removed to Peoria County. 111., 
where he carried on farming until his death, about 
the year 1876. The wife and mother passed away 
about three or foil ]• years previous lo the decease 
of her husband. They were most excellent and 
worthy people, and members in good standing of 
the Baptisl Church. Their family consisted of eight 
children. 

Henry Known. I lie father of our subject . was born 
in Pennsylvania, about 1795, and in early manhood 
emigrated to Ohio, where he was married to Miss 
Jane Maple. They became the parents of eleven 
children, ten of whom lived to mature years. The 
father was one of the pioneers of Jefferson County, 
where he secured a tract of land and built up a 



homestead, upon which he spent the remainder of 
his days. His wife survived him several years. 
They were well-to-do. having by thrift and indus- 
try accumulated a good property. 

On another page the comfortable home and fine 
buildings of our subject are the subject of repre- 
sentat ion. 



- ARWIN II. BERRY. One of the finest 
h es in the little city of Tecumseh is 




the property of. the subject of this hiog. 

raphy, and consists of a substantial and 
tasteful residence and barn, with ample grounds 
around it, and all the evidences of comfort and 
enjoyment. To this place Mr. Berry retired in the 
summer of 1886 from the active labors of farm 
life, in which he had been engaged the greater part 
of his life, i I is home is situated on Broadway 
street, in the eastern part of town. He still retains 
ownership of his farm, which comprises 320 acres 
of valuable land in Helena Precinct. His career 
has been that of the self-made man, who from a 
modest beginning has built up a snug fortune, and 
at the same time such has been his integrity of 
character that he enjoys the highest respect of the 
community where the best part of his life has been 
spent. 

Our subject is a native of the Green Mountain 
State, his birthplace having been Alburgh, Grand 
Isle County, and the date thereof April 14, 1824. 
He lived there until a young man twenty-three 
years old, and on the 10th of May, 1847, started 
out to see something of the country around him. 
He traveled first all over New England, then vis- 
ited the Middle States, and made his first halt in 
Newark, N. J. In the meantime he paid his ex- 
penses by teaching school. He resided in Newark 
one year, becoming owner of an eating house 
wherein temperance drinks were dispensed, and 
then having the opportunity to sell out to good 
advantage, did so and started for the West. 

Young Berry, upon reaching Illinois, purchased 
a tract of land in Hancock County, began teacl ing 
school, and managed to [jay for his property in 
this manner. In due time lie had an improved 
farm of 2lo acres which he had built up from the 




i 



868 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



fr 



wild prairie. He brought the land to a high state 
of cultivation, planted a large orchard and many 
other trees around his homestead, and gathered 
about himself and family all of the comforts and 
many of the luxuries of life, lie had married. Dec. 
li, 1856, Miss Maitha Wightman, of Hancock 
County, and of this union there were born four 
children. Of these hut two are living. Allie. the 
elder, became the wife of Jirah S. Gordon, of 
Albtirgh, Yt.. and they are still living there, where 
Mr. G. is carrying on merchandising and farming. 
Harry S. married Miss Perintha Canon, of Pike 
County, 111., and operates the home farm; they 
have one child, a son, Jirah S. 

Mr. and Mrs. Berry lived in Illinois until the 
spring of 1864, when our subject sold out, and on 
the 1st of March started for Linn Comity. Iowa. 
There he purchased an improved farm where they 
lived three years, but not being satisfied with their 
surroundings sold out once more, and in 1*07 pur- 
chased land in Helena Precinct, this county, to 
which they removed in the spring of 1868. Here 
Mr* Berry purchased 640 acres, improved the en- 
tire tract, and later transferred to his brother-in- 
law one-fourth of it. For this land he paid the 
sum of $1,067.50, but it could not now he pur- 
chased for less than 118,000. Pew but they who 
have performed it can realize the labor involved 
in placing the soil under cultivation, planting trees, 
building fences and the necessary structures con- 
nected with the homestead, and the numberless 
other conveniences gathered together on the prem- 
ises. The orchard alone contain- 100 apple trees, 
while the smaller fruits abound in almost endless 
variety. The lumber for the residence was hauled 
from Nebraska City with teams. After his journey 
hither from the Hawkeye Stale. Mr. Berry and his 
family lived in a. tent until their house could be 
brought to the condition affording them a shelter. 
Our subject encountered the usual struggles with 
grasshoppers and drouth and many other discour- 
agements, but pursued the even tenor of his way, 
nnd has met with ample reward. For a number of 
years he was largely engaged in stock-raising, keep- 
inn numbers of horses, cattle and swine, and feed- 
ing to them mostly the grain raised upon the farm. 

Amid these extensive interests Mr. Perry still 



•hh?: 



found time to maintain his record as a good citi- 
zen, and gave his substantial support and encour- 
agement to the enterprises which should be of 
benefit to the people around him. He has ever 
been the friend of progress and education, and 
while no office-seeker, has usually been the incum- 
bent of some position of trust or responsibility. 
He served as Director in his school district, and 
held the minor offices when there appeared no 
one else who had time or could till them to better 
advantage. 

Mrs. Martha (Wightman) Berry was born in 
Sandgate, Bennington Co., Vt., Jan. 11. 1835, and 
there developed into womanhood. Her parents. 
William and Martha Wightman. removed from the 
Green Mountain StateMo Illinois, where the father 
followed his trades of a wheelwright and con- 
tractor. He was a man of tine business capacities, 
and owned a farm, although he did not work upon 
it himself, simply superintending it. He lived to 
a ripe old age, and spent his last days m Linn 
County. Iowa, to which he had removed about ten 
years before his death, which occurred in 1875. 
The mother passed away two years before the de- 
cease of her husband, in 1873. Their family con- 
sisted of fifteen children. 

The father of our subject, Jirah S. Berry, a native 
of Connecticut or Vermont, was born April 24, 
1784. He was one of the most, successful physicians 
of Alburgh, Vt., where he practiced many years, hav- 
ing the ride of that entire region for miles around. 
He was a man of property, a portion of it being in 
the shape of a good farm in Grand Isle County. 
He was graduated from the school of medicine at 
Castleton. Vt. He was well read, and a man of 
more than ordinary intelligence, keeping himself 
well posted upon the events of the day, and in all 
respects a prominent and praiseworthy citizen. He 
married Miss Ann Hyde, of Grand Isle County, 
and they became the parents of six children, five 
of whom lived to mature years, these all being 
carefully educated, and all of them for a time em- 
ployed in teaching. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Jona- 
than Hyde by name, was a highly respected Ver- 
mont farmer. After the death of her husband the 
mother of our subject continued to live in Alburgh 



T 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



8G9 



h 



until 1852, then removed with her son Darwin II. 
to Illinois, where her death took place in Hancock 
County in the fall of 1864, Dr. Berry had died 
.Jan. 1(), 1834, aged fifty years. I lis excessive 
energy and industry were the direct cause of his 
taking off, as in pursuing the practice of his pro- 
fession he was out early and late, giving himself 
little rest and no recreation. Ilis generous dispo- 
sition led him to serve those who perhaps would 
refuse to give him feed for his horse, much less his 
pay for his professional services. Upon his last 
exhaustive journey, after being out a day and a 
night, he returned to his home early in the after- 
noon, and at 5 o'clock was not able to stand upon 
his feet. He never passed beyond his own threshold 
again until carried out, dying in a few days. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
Barnaby Berry, a 'Connecticut farmer who married 
a Miss Swift, and became the father of quite a large 
family. The}' removed from Connecticut to Ver- 
mont, and were among the earliest pioneers of 
Grand Isle County, where their children grew to 
manhood and womanhood before the War of 1812. 
The father was a physician and one of the first sur- 
geons aboard the fleet at Plattsburg, engaging in 
the battle which was fought there Sept. 11, 1812. 
Grandfather Berry spent his last days at the home 
of his son in Northern New York, outliving his 
estimable wife many years. 



,'OSEPH WHITHAM, a Johnson County pio- 
neer of 1873, settled in the spring of thai 
year on eighty acres of land embracing a 
portion of section 25, Spring < 'reek Precinct, 

and for which he paid 15 per acre. It was a stretch 
of raw prairie, destitute of cultivation or improve- 
ment, and presented a scene calculated to try the 
courage of any man in like circumstances. <>ur 
subject was unaccompanied by a wife or children 
to cheer him, coming alone, with a cash capital of 
x-1.', in money, a team of horses and a few farming 
implements, lie established himself in a dug-out, 
eleven feet square, and for the liisl three \ears 
kept bachelor's hall. For a number of years there- 
after he endured the hardships and difficulties in- 

-*• 



cident to pioneer life, hut from his toils and strug- 
gles he has come out with Hying colors, having now 

one of the most valuable farms in his precinct, em- 
bracing now hut acres. The dug-out, in 1886, was 

replaced by a more comfortable and commodious 
dwelling, and around it, have arisen the various 

out-buildings for the sheltei of stock and the stor- 
ing of grain, 

A native of Broome County, N. Y., our subject 

was horn June 18, 1849, and is the son of John 
and ( 'aniline ([(owe) \V hilhain. t he father a native 
of Yorkshire, England, and the mother of Connecti- 
cut, John Whiihain emigrated to America when a 
young lad, about 1820, crossing the Atlantic with 
his parents, John, Sr., and Hannah Whitham, they 
Locating in Broome County, N. Y., where the father 
engaged in farming and milling, anil where the 
father of our subject was reared to manhood. The 
latter received a limited education, 1ml was trained 
lo those habits of industry and economy which 
have Served him well through Ilis later life. 

John Whitham was married, June 18, 1844, in 
Broome County, X. Y., to Miss Caroline Rowe. a 
native of < lonnecticut, and the daughter of Abijah 
Iv'owe. who was a New Eiighiiidcr by birth, and 
supposed to be of English ancestry. The Rowe 
family, as near as can be learned, came to America 
soon after the independence of the Colonists had 
been established, settling in Connecticut. To John 
and Caroline Whitham there were bcrn six chil- 
dren, five of whom are living, namely: John, dr.. a 
resident of Warren, 111.; Joseph, our subject; Eliza, 
the wife of !'». C. Allen, of Dodge County, this 
Slate; William, a resident of Warren. III., and .lay 
M.. of Fayelleville. Ark. The deceased child was 
a daughter, Hannah, who (lied when about eleven 
years old. 

The parents of our subject, about 1855, leaving 

the Empire State, emigrated to Jo Daviess County, 
[11., settling among its earliest pioneers, where the 
father engaged in agriculture and spent the remain- 
der of his life. Ilis death took place at the home- 
stead. .March I. 1880, lie was a member in good 
standing of the .Methodist Episcopal Church from 

early manhood, to the supiiort of which he con- 
tributed liberally, and was a faithful laborer in the 
Master's vineyard, officiating as Class-Leader, and 



> n ^» 



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370 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



f 



4 



otherwise identified himself with tin' best interests 
of his church, lie enjoyed a wide acquaintance in 
Jo Daviess County, where he was highly respected, 
anil lie lefl to his family a comfortable estate. In 
New York State he hail been prominent in the af- 
fairs of his county, holding the offices of Assessor 
and Justice of the Peace, and filled other positions 
of trust awl responsibility, lie was a Republican 
from the time of the party's organization. The 
mother is still living, being now sixty-four years 
old. in good health and retaining her faculties un- 
impaired. She is a very estimable lady, and be- 
longs to the same church as did her honored hus- 
band. She makes her home with her son William, 
at Warren, 111. 

Our subject accompanied his parents in their re- 
moval from New York State to Illinois, and was 
reared among the scenes of pioneer life in .lo Da- 
viess County. All" the children of the family 
received a common-school education, and have dis- 
tinguished themselves as upright and worthy citi- 
zens. Jay M., the brother who went South, is now 
a leading professor in the State University of Ar- 
kansas. His tastes incline toward military tactics, 
and he obtained entrance to the United States Na- 
val Academy at Annapolis, from which he was 
graduated with honors, and thereafter served about 
four years in the I'nited States Navy, resigning his 
position finally to take that which hi' now holds. 
In the meantime, in the performance of his naval 
duties, he had visited a number of foreign coun- 
tries, and the expeditions proved both pleasurable 
and profitable. 

Our subject has been content to follow farming 
all his life, lie remained under the parental roof un- 
til about twenty -one years old. lie was married. Dec. 
31, 1K7(), to Miss Sophia Ilayden. who was born in 
Cumberland County, Ky.. Dec. 25, 1855. They 
began their wedded life in Spring Creek, and of 
this union there were born live children, namely : 
Caroline, llaltie. Ella, Jessie and Sophia. This lady 
died at the homestead in Spring Creek Precinct, 
.March -2. 1887. 

Mr. Whitham contracted a second marriage. July 
17. 1887, with Miss Zerelda Mavity, who was born 
in Atchison County, Mo., Sept. 23, I860. Her par- 
ents, Joseph and Evaline Mavity. were natives of 




Indiana and Illinois, and arc now residents of this 
county. Of this union there is one child, a son, 
John J., who was bom May 1, 1888. Mr. Whit- 
ham, in the fall of 1884, was elected one of the 
Commissioners of Johnson County, serving his 
term of three years in a creditable manner, and for 
four years has been a Justice of the Peace. He is 
now completing his seventh year as a School Di- 
rector in his district. He is public-spirited and 
liberal, and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. 
Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which he is a Trustee and one of i'.s 
most active members. 



R. PETER. V. R. DAFOE, a retired physi- 
cian, and at present enjoying the comforts 
of a pleasant home, is also proprietor of a 
fine drug-store at Tecumseh. and has con- 
nected with the drug business a stock of musical 
instruments, in which he has built up a good trade 
among the leading residents of the precinct. His 
store is located on the north side of Broadway, 
opposite the court-house. The Doctor has been a 
resident of this county for a number of years, and 
during this time has made many friends. 

Our subject was born in Hastings. Province of 
Ontario, Canada. Dec. 1'9, 1838, and there spent his 
boyhood days, completing his education in the 
Friends' Seminary at l'icton. Prince Edward 
County, lie then taught school for a number of 
years, and finally deciding to take up the study of 
medicine, entered the office of Dr. George Henry, 
of Sterling, with whom he read medicine until 
about twenty years old. He took his first course of 
lectures at Victoria Medical College in Toronto, in 
the winter of 1861-62, and later, making his way to 
Saginaw County. Mich., to visit friends, he was 
persuaded by them to settle there and begin practice. 
This he did with excellent results, both socially and 
financially. He was thus occupied five months, and 
at the beginning of the college year returned to To- 
ronto, took another course, and again practicedas 
before. He was graduated on the 24th of May. 
1864, and commenced his regular practice at ( '• reens- 
ville, North York County, where he remained two 



f 



\T" 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



*te 



■■ill 



4- 




years. Imilt upas before a good business, and was 
then appointed by the Government as physician to 
the Snake Indians. 

In the spring of 1866 Dr. Dafoe Located ai Elm- 
wood, 111., where he remained until Sept. 1. 1879, 
and in connection with his practice, established a 
drug-store there also. In the same year he crossed 
the Mississippi, locating in Tecumseh, this county, 
and in 1880 established his present business, which 
has proved a great convenience to the people of 
this locality. He removed to Council Bluffs, but 
only remained there ten months, lie only practices 
now among his old friends and natrons, who, having 
satisfactorily proved his skill, are unwilling to let 
him go. 

On the morning of Dee. 15, 1884, Dr. Dafoe after 
breakfast went out, key in hand, to open his 
store, and upon arriving upon the site found noth- 
ing but a few smouldering remains. 'The building 
and stock had been entirely destroyed by fire dur- 
ing the uight. The shock could not lie otherwise 
than great, but the Doctor recovered as soon as 
possible, ami at once ordered a new stock of goods, 
having them on hand for the Christmas trade. The 
spring following he put up the tine brick building 
the lirst iloor of which is occupied by hisstoreand 
the jewelry business of another party. This struct- 
ure is an ornament to the town, being lmilt of 
brick, two stories in height, with plate glass front. 
The upper Iloor is arranged and occupied by of- 
fices. It was the second brick block put up on the 
north side. 

Our subject has been quite prominent in local 
affairs, and in 1886 was elected Alderman, serving 
two years acceptably, hut although a man public- 
spirited and interested in the welfare of his com- 
munity, he would much prefer relegating the 
responsibilities of office to others. He belongs to 
the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken nine 
degrees, and also at different times been an officer 
in his lodge, lie has Keen an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years, 
officiating as Steward ami Sunday-school Superin- 
tendent, ami laboring as he had opportunity to 

further the Master's cause. 

Miss Carrie Nelson, of Eugene, Knox Co.. 111., 
became the wife of our subject April 2:'<. 1867, and 



of this union there were born three children, of 
whom but, two are living. Albeit X. was born Nov. 
2.'!, 1870, at Elmwood, 111.. and was graduated from 
the Tecumseh High School in the spring of 1888; 
he proposes, however, in the near future to continue 
his studies in another institution. Frank was 
born .Ian. 11, 1873, is an unusually bright and in- 
teresting boy. and is pursuing his studies in the 
High School. Mrs. Carrie (Nelson) Dafoe. was 
born at Eugene, 111., in 1842, and is the daugh- 
ter of Josiah ami Margaret (King) Nelson. She 
was given a good education, completing her stud- 
ies at Knox College in Galesburg, and made her 
home with her parents until her marriage. She 
is a very estimable lady, intelligent and refined, and 
a devoted Christian, having been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-one years, 
and warmly engaged in Sunday-school work. 

Josiah Nelson, the father of Mrs. Dafoe, is a 
native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man re- 
moved, about 1837, to Knox County, III., of which 
he is still a resident. He entered -the Prairie State 
a poor man. with no resources but his willing hands 
and courageous heart, and is now numbered among 
its moneyed men and leading land-owners, being 
proprietor of 800 acres, well improved and in a 
high stale of Cultivation. He is largely devoted to 
the raising of grain and stock, and is a man promi- 
nent in his community. 

Mr. Nelson married Miss Margaret King, whose 
parents live on the quarter-section adjoining, and 
they have traveled the journey of life together for a 
period of fifty years. The parents and tin- seven chil- 
dren form an unbroken family circle which has as 
yet been unvisited by the fell Destroyer. The elder 
children were daughters, and during the late war 
the lather sometimes regretted that he had only one 
son old enough to enter the army and light for the 
defense of the Union. That one became a soldier 
before he was of age. 

Michael Dafoe. the father of our subject, was 
born in Frontenac, Province of Ontario, Canada, 
in IT'.i'i. and moved to Hastings County soon after 
his marriage. He received a practical education 
and later followed farming, lie married Miss Mary 
Wright about 1825, and they lived upon the farm 
where thej lirst sell lei I, and where all their children, 



f 



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372 



-•fr 



4- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



twelve in number, were born. Of tbese seven are 
living. The only one besides our subject who came 
to the United States was a sister, who is a resi- 
dent of Dakota. His brother Michael died in the 
summer of 1858, leavings good farm to hiswidow, 
who lived upon it until 1871. when her death took 
place. Both were active members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which Michael held the office 
of Steward and was one of its chief pillars. The 
property which he left remains in the family. The 
Doctor is a popular man in his community, one 
whose opinions are generally respected, and who is 
recognized as the possessor of more than ordinary 
capabilities. 

-fc^S- 

ffiOHN BEAL. Upon section 19 of Western 
Precinct is to be found one of the most ad- 
mirably appointed stock farms in the county. 
(<©/ It is the property of the gentleman whose 
history it is here sought briefly to set before the 
reader. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, on 
the Ttli of December. 1837, to Jacob and Elizabeth 
Beal, of the above county. His father is a native 
of Somerset County, Pa., and his mother of Vir- 
ginia. Mr. Beal, Sr., settled in Ohio as a young 
man just starting in life, when that country was in 
all its newness as a Territory, with its broad acres 
uncultivated and its resources undeveloped. 

The common scl 1 was the institution in which 

the subject of our sketch received the foundation 
of his mental development. Realizing that il was 
by no means the completion of his education, his 
efforts in that direction have been unceasing. In 
[859 he went overland to Colorado and California, 
where he remained mining gold until 1865, meet- 
ing with quite fair success. At the end of that 
time he returned to Knox County, where he re- 
mained until the spring of 1868, when he came to 
Nebraska. 

Until the fall of that year Mr. Beal made his 
home in the city of Beatrice, when he removed to 
Tecumseh, and there made his home until he came 
to his present farm in the spring of 1869. Upon 
taking up his residence upon his property he re- 
alized that he was in the midst of a vast unde- 
veloped country. As far as the eye could reach in 



any direction nothing could be discerned that 
would indicate any habitation of man. and very 
few signs were discernible of his handiwork. Bea- 
trice and Tecumseh were the nearest points for 
trading and • marketing, and either were at least 
twenty miles distant from him. He has watched 
with pleasure and pride the development of the 
country all around, and observed the growth of 
the present wealthy community. His farm is now 
L95 acres in extent and is one of the best in the 
district. 

Before leaving Knox County Mi'. Beal was mar- 
ried. The event was celebrated in January. 1868; 
the lady who at the time allied herself with our 
subject was Maria J. Lovitt, the estimable daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Deborah Lovitt. of Ohio. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Beal have been given four children, 
of whom three still survive, viz: Orvil, James A. 
and Eugene, all of whom make their home with 
their parents. 

For two terms Mr. Beal has served in the office 
of Assessor with much satisfaction to all parties 
concerned, but is quite reticent as regards political 
or any other office. He has always been a friend 
of the temperance cause, and is now a firm Prohi- 
bitionist. As a man and citizen he is much ad- 
mired by reason of his high character; as a farmer 
and stock-raiser he is most successful, his specialty 
being the higher grades of stock of the best breeds. 
His farm is supplied with everything needed for 
successful operation, and his home is one of the 
most pleasantly situated and comfortable in the 
community. 



-^»ti»> 



-^ 



«^itf^ 



p^LZIE COMBS, the proprietor of the ex- 
[W| tensive livery and sale stable on Third 
|' — ■£ ) street in Tecumseh. and in that connection 



widely and favorably known, was born in Knox 
County. 111. on the 7th of November. L862. When 
he was about seven vears of age his parents came to 
Nebraska. They made their home in this county 
for a short time and then removed to Bennet, in 
Lancaster Count}-. Before our subject was ten 
years of age the home was bereaved of wife and 



=r 



■*•" 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



373 



4 



mother, and our subject has therefore from that 
time been without the affectionate care, guidance 
and counsel <>f the nearest relation on earth. 

Left to fight his own battles to a large extent, 
the subject of our sketch has been more successful 
in every way than many who have had every ad- 
vantage; possibly because he came to realize the 
situation, and therefore bent his energies with more 
determined effort to the task of making his own 
way. All the education he has received has been 
obtained in the common school, which, however, 
lie attended but a short time. Early in life he en- 
gaged in farming, and continued to follow the 
same. For one season be was engaged in herding, 
attending the town herd at $1 a month a head. 
This gave him his start; after that he set up as a 
barber in this city. 

In 1882 Mr. Combs migrated to Wyoming Ter- 
ritory, and after remaining there about two years 
returned to this place, and was variously engaged 
until the 2.">th of July. 1888, when he secured t lie 
business in which he is now engaged. He has con- 
stant work for eighteen horses, and usually keeps a 
larger number on hand. In addition to his lively 
and sale stable, and the business connected there- 
with. Mr. Combs is the owner of two farms iu Kan- 
sas; one is situated about four miles from Ft. Scott, 
in a northwesterly direction, is 1 (10 acres in extent, 
well improved and possessing very tine buildings; 
the other is in Greenwood County, Ivan., and com- 
prises 160 acres. 

The marriage of our subject was celebrated on 
the 15th of November. 1887. the lady whom it is 
his happiness to have made the companion of his 
life being Miss Nellie Harrow of this city. She is the 
daughter of the Rev. U. C. Harrow, the well-known 
and efficient state Evangelist of the Christian 
Church, a popular, eloquent and effective preacher. 
This gentleman is a native of Pennsylvania, and 
was married to Miss Helen Harding. They are the 
parents of four children, who are still living. His 
connection with the Stale of Nebraska extends over 
a long period of years. 

Nelson I). Combs, the father of our subject, was 
born in Highland County. Ohio. Feb. 18. 1833. 
By trade he was a harness-maker, and came to Ne- 
braska when our subject was but seven years of 

4* . 



age, as above noted. Since coming to the State lie 
has been variously Occupied, and since the death of 
bis wife has been of somewhat nomadic disposition, 
never settling in any place for a great length of 
time. 

Our subject is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, and also of the Sons of Veterans, his father 
having served in the army, holding a commission as 
First Lieutenant. Mr. Combs is a young man 
and has not yet had much opportunity or time to 
manifest his true value, power and ability, but 
should he be spared, as judging from present ap- 
pearances, he undoubtedly will, it is not too much 
to say that the future will be bright for him, and 
that he will till an honored place in thecommunity 
wherein he may reside. 

d MLLIAM II. HOLMES. The subject of 
\/fJ// tli is sketch is familiarly known among the 
Wvl farmers and stock-raisers of Helena Pre- 
cinct as one of the most prosperous men along the 
northern line of Johnson Count}-. His property is 
pleasantly located on sections -.'7 and 34, and em- 
braces a fine homestead 320 acres in extent, and 
with its neat and substantial buildings, and the 
other appurtenances of the modern estate, reflects 
great credit upon the industry and good taste of 
the proprietor. 

A native of Fulton County, 111., our subject was 
born March 12, 1845, and is the son of Thomas and 
Rachel A. (Deary) holmes. The father was a na- 
tive of Green County, Ivy., and the paternal grand- 
father, Nathan Holmes, was one of the early 
Baptist preachers of the Blue Grass regions. The 
latter emigrated to Fulton County, 111., during the 
early settlement of the Prairie State, locating in 
what was then designated as the Military District, 
He battled successfully with the wild prairie soil am] 
there spent his last days. 

The father of our subject was born Dec. 7, 1813, 
and was a youth of nineteen years when he went to 
Illinois with his parents. He assisted them iu their 
endeavors to build up a homestead, and when 
about twenty-three years old was married, Dec. 1, 
183G, to Miss Rachel A. Deary, who was born in 



=£#** 



•> w < *< 



374 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



the Shenandoah Valley, Va., Feb. 16,1817. This 
union resulted in the birth of ten children, eight of 
whom are supposed to bo living. They are as fol- 
lows: Mary J., the wife of Samuel Miner, of Lin- 
coln Precinct, this count}'; Sarah A., Mrs. T. II. 
Matthews, of Spring Creek Precinct; Josephine, 
Mrs. II. M. Edie, of Macomb, 111.; William II., our 
subject; Hiram Franklin lives in Stuttgart, Ark., 
and married Miss Sarah J. Hipsley; Thomas B., 
who died when about one and a half years old; 
Florence E., Mrs. J. C. Stockes, of Nemaha City, 
Neb.; Charles O, who married Miss Sarah J. Ball, 
and is in Stuttgart, Ark.; Edward, who married 
Miss Phebe Russell, and lives in Fairfield, Clay 
County, this State, and Douglas, who died in in- 
fancy. 

The parents of our subject were residents of 
Fulton County, 111., for many years, and the father 
died there at the homestead, Dec. 20, 1881. Pie 
was a stanch Democrat, politically, and a man of 
considerable influence among the members of his 
party in that region. The temperance cause 
found in him a most ardent supporter. He was a man 
prompt to meet his obligations, and one whose word 
was considered as good as his bond. In his death 
Fulton Count}' lost one of her best citizens. The 
wife and mother is living, making her home with 
her son "William H., and spending her declining 
years amid the comforts which she has justly earned 
by a lifetime of devotion to duty. She has been 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church many 
years, and is a lady possessing all the Christian vir- 
tues. The elder Holmes was successful in his 
farming and business transactions, and left to his 
family a comfortable estate. 

William H. Holmes was reared to manhood in his 
native count}', receiving a practical education in its 
common schools, and becoming familiar with farm- 
ing as carried on in the pioneer days, by methods 
which it is hardly necessary to state were far infe- 
rior to those of the present day, with its wonderful 
inventions and modern machinery. He was the 
eldest son of the family, and the first son married, 
this interesting event taking place in the evening 
of Dec. 25, 1867. His bride, Miss Olive E. Battles, 
was born July 19, 1842, in Medina County, Ohio, 
and was a daughter of George W. and Freelove 



(Tyler) Battles, the father a resident of California; 
the mother died in Fulton County, III., about 1860. 
Of this union there was born one child, a son, 
Edward P.., Jan. 31, 1870. Mrs. Olive Holmes 
died in Fulton County, 111., Sept. 20, 1871. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage, Oct. 
14, 1873, with Miss Sarah J. Stoops, who was born 
in Fulton County, 111., Sept. 6, 1853. Her parents, 
William and Keziah (Clark) Stoops, were natives of 
Ohio, and early settlers of Fulton County. 111. The 
mother spent her last years in that county, and died 
in 1860; the father resides in the latter county, 
The children of this marriage are recorded as fol- 
lows: William T. was born Oct. 5, 1874; Gertrude 
F., Jan. 15, 1876; Olive K., July 24, 1878; Stella 
R., Nov. 24, 1884, and Grace A., March 11, 1887. 

Mr. Holmes continued a resident of his native 
county until the fall of 1882, engaged in farming 
and stock-raising, then disposing of his interests 
in that region came to Nebraska, and settled on his 
present farm, which embraces 320 acres of prime 
land. Under his careful management the soil has 
proved very productive, and the buildings, neat and 
substantial, fulfill the modern idea of the complete 
country home. Mr. Holmes in the fall of 1887 
was elected Assessor of Helena Precinct, and re- 
elected in November, 1888. Politically, he is a 
stanch Democrat. Mrs. Holmes is connected with 
the Christian Church, and both occupy a high posi- 
tion among the social circles of their community. . 

Mr. Holmes in 1874 identified himself with the 
Masonic fraternity, and officiated one year as Sen- 
ior Warden in Lodge No. 17, atTecumseh. lie is 
also a member of the Johnson County Agricultural 
Association, and has signalized himself as a man in 
favor of all the measures instituted for the improve- 
ment of the county and the elevation of its people. 

Mrs. Keziah (Clark) Stoops, the mother of Mrs. 
Holmes, was also a native of Ohio, and was taken to 
Illinois by her parents when about two years old. 
She was there reared and married, and was the 
second wife of William Stoops, his first having been 
Hannah Lindsey. The third was Margaret Hanna. 
Mr. Stoops was the father of a large family of chil- 
dren, seven of whom survive, namely: Amy, Mrs. 
Samuel Knock, of Fulton County, HI.; Mary E., 
Mrs. William Guthrie, also of Fulton County ; Mrs. 




■wtt 



^HlUo 



<> i r< * 






JOHNSON COUNTY. 



375 



Holmes, the wife of our subject; Benton, who mar- 
ried Miss Annie Russell, and lives in Fulton County, 
III.; Perry II., who married Miss Belle Boothy, and 
is a practicing physician anil surgeon, of Union, 
Iowa; Addie and Richard O., in Fulton County. 

Edward B., the eldest son of our subject, a bright 
and intelligent boy, was graduated from the Te- 
cumseu High School in May, 1888. and proposes to 
become a farmer and stock-raiser. 

_ ^4e. ^ 



-1 r , 

4 



JAMES S. II. HAMILTON. The man who 
can look back upon a long and well-spent 
life "deserves more than a passing mention. 
The subject of this biography, now past 
seventy-six years of age, ranks among the most 
honored pioneers of Nebraska, and came to Johnson 
County to settle in the spring of 18G8. He had a 
few months previously homesteaded 124 acres of 
land on section 19, Spring Creek Precinct, ninety- 
three acres of which he still owns, having given 
the balance to his daughter. 

Of New England birth and parentage, Mr. Ham- 
ilton was born May 30, 1812, in Hampden Count}', 
Mass., under the modest roof of his parents, James 
and Ilulda (Bishop) Hamilton, who were living 
near the town of Granville. James Hamilton was 
also a native of the Bay State, but the mother was 
born in Connecticut. The father traced his ances- 
try to Ireland, and Grandfather James Hamilton 
was born on the ocean during the journey of his 
parents to America, and prior to the Revolutionary 
War. The Bishops were of English descent, and 
came to this country during the Colonial days, set- 
tling also in New England. 

The mother of our subject was twice married. 
Of her first marriage, with Samuel Watrous, there 
were born two children, both of whom are de- 
ceased. To James and Hulda Hamilton there 
were born seven children, of whom our subject is 
the only survivor. Six lived to mature years. 

Our subject was reared to man's estate in his 
native county, receiving in common with the youth 
of that period a limited education, but he has been 
a reader all his life and is well posted upon topics 
of general interest. When seventeen years old he 

4 * 



began serving an apprenticeship as a spectacle 
maker, and followed this trade for a period of fif- 
teen years. He was married Dec. 2C, 1831, to a 
maiden of his own county, Miss Caroline Col ton, 
who was born Sept. 3, 1811, and was the daughter 
of Ebenezer and Phebe Colton, who were also of 
New England birth and parentage, and of English 
ancestry. David Barton, a maternal uncle of Mrs. 
Hamilton, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War, and yielded up his life in the army from ill- 
ness. Mrs. Hamilton was one of twelve children, 
ten of whom are known to be deceased ; her brother 
John is supposed to be living, and a resident of 
Philadelphia, Pa. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton there were born five 
children, three of whom are living, namely: Fran- 
ces C, the wife of Wesley Dundas, of Nemaha 
County; Lucy A., Mrs. John E. Hall, of Spring 
Creek Precinct, this county, and Emeretta G., the 
wife of Ahira O. Scoville, of Spring Creek Precinct. 
About 1847 Mr. Hamilton, desirous of a change of 
location and occupation, left New England for the 
West, and took up his abode in Homer, Mich., 
where he followed the trade of carpenter and joiner 
about one year. Later he worked at the same 
trade in different parts of Michigan, but in the fall 
of 1806, crossing the Mississippi, landed hi Rich- 
ardson County, this State, and from there about 
two years later came to Johnson County for per- 
manent settlement. During his residence of twenty 
years among the people of Spring Creek Precinct,, 
he has acquitted himself as an honest man and a 
good citizen, and has gathered around him hosts of 
friends. He built up his farm from the wild prai- 
rie, taking shelter first with his family with his son- 
in-law. His possessions are the result of his own 
industry, aided by that of h is excellent and sensible 
wife. Man_y were the hardships and difficulties 
they endured during the 1 first years of their resi- 
dence in Nebraska, but they had come to stay, and 
would listen to no such word as "fail." Now, sit- 
ting under their own vine and fig tree, and cheered 
by the affection of their children and friends, they 
are reaping the reward of the hardships of other 
years. 

Mr. Hamilton cast his first Presidential vote for 
Clay, and voted with the Whig party, then with the 

•** 



4 s 



*•" 



376 



4* 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



•►Ht^ 



Republican until 1888, when Lis warm* interest iu 
the temperance movement caused him to ally him- 
self with the Prohibitionists. Both he and his 
estimable wife have been members in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a period 
of thirty years. Mr. Hamilton has always distin- 
guished himself as a liberal-minded and public- 
spirited citizen, encouraging the enterprises best 
calculated to advance the interests of the people 
around him. This aged pair have traveled the 
journey of life together fifty -seven years, and have 
become so necessary to each other that it would 
seem like sundering a limb from a body were the)* 
separated. 

Mr. Hamilton gave two sons to the service of 
his country dining the late war, who fell victims 
in the pride and strength of their early manhood. 
Both were members of the 3d Michigan Infantry, 
and the eldest, Virgil M., was wounded at the bat- 
tle of Spottsylvania Court House, and died ten 
days later at Fredericksburg; his remains now fill a 
soldier's grave in the Baptist Churchyard at the 
same place. Eminett A. was wounded at the bat- 
tle of Fair Oaks, but recovered sufficiently to par- 
ticipate in the second battle of Bull Run, where it 
is supposed he was killed, as lie was never after- 
ward heard from. 



/■^EORGE W. ACKER. The homestead which 
III c —. this gentleman built up from an unculti- 
^^J4) vatcd tract of land in Maple Grove Precinct 
occupies the southeast quarter of the wot hall' of 
section 20. He came to this enmity in the spring 
of 1868, anil took up a homestead claim in the 
month of May. acquiring at first 120 acres. Upon 
this he has since lived, and has effected the exten- 
sive improvements which to-day attract the admir- 
ing gaze of the passerby. The whole area is under 
cultivation, and several thousand trees have been 
planted for the purpose of shade and fruit. The 
latter especially Mr. A. has kept in view, having an 
orchard of seventy-live bearing apple trees, 700 
peach trees and fifty cherry. His buildings are 
substantia] and comfortable. The farm is stocked 
with a goodly assortment of domestic animals, and 



the premises and its surroundings present a picture 
Of rural life which is pleasant to contemplate. 

Our subject is the son of a Pennsylvania farmer, 
George W. Anker, Sr., who married Miss Sarah 
Strait, of Perry County. They settled in Perry 
County, Ohio, and there spent the remainder of 
their days, the father passing away iu 1841. in 
middle life, and the mother eighteen years later, in 
1859. Their family included nine children, of whom 
our subject was the seventh in order of birth. He 
first opened his eyes to the light at the old home- 
stead in Perry County. Ohio, May 6, 1833. He 
continued a member of the parental household un- 
til a youth of fifteen years, then commenced work- 
ing on a farm in the neighborhood. He was thus 
Occupied three years, when lie entered upon an 
apprenticeship at the carpenter trade and cabinet- 
making in Straitville. A year later he established 
in business for himself; subsequently he made his 
home on the farm and engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits until his marriage, in 1860. 

The maiden name of Mrs. Auker was Lavina 
Strait, and her parents were Richard and Rachel 
(Jennings) Strait, the father a native of England, 
and the mother of Pennsylvania. Their family 
consisted of ten children, of whom Mrs. Auker was 
the ninth in order of birth. Her native place was 
Darke County. Ohio, where she first opened her 
eyes to the light June 15, 1837. Four of her 
brothers and two sisters are now living, and are 
residents of Ohio and Tennessee. Mr. ami Mrs. A. 
continued to live in Darke County for a time after 
their marriage, and Mr. A. employed himself at 
cabinet work. 

In the spring of 1801 our subject with his 
family left the Buckeye State and set out for Sanga- 
mon County, 111. Three years later, in L867, they re- 
turned to Darke County, < >hio. but in 18(18 our sub- 
ject, who had not recovered from his Western fever, 
gathered together once more his family and his 
personal effects and started across the Mississippi 
River. Coining to this county he homesteaded the 
land included in his present farm. Since that time 
he has given his attention closely to agriculture 
with the results which we behold all around bin 
to-day. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Auker there were born eight 




•4- 



■TOIINSON COUNTY. 



377 



children, six of whom are living, namely: Calvin 
<!.. a resident of Norton County, Kan.; Martha E., 
Cora May. George W., Oily L. and Ilattie. athome 
with their parents. Mr. A., politically, is a stanch 
Republican, and aside from looking after some of 
the school matters in his district, lias carefully re- 
frained from becoming an office-holder. Although 
his fellow-townsmen would gladly have conferred 
upon him official honors, he has invariably declined. 
He identified himself with the K. of L. in Maple 
Grove Precinct in 1888, and is one of the worthiest 
members of the order. 



"**' l * ; ' lfo * e) '* *°* 

yfclLLIAM BENSON, a worthy citizen of 
Helena Precinct, where he is engaged in 
WW agricultural pursuits, is classed among the 
pioneers of Johnson County. Our subject and his 
wife had a bitter experience of pioneer life the lirsl 
few years after their settlement here, but they 
nobly endured the many hardships and sufferings 
that fell to their lot and the sacrifices that they 
were compelled to make, and by wise economy ami 
constant and well-directed labor, have become quite 
prosperous, and now have a comfortable home and 
a good farm. 

Oursubjed was born in New York, Dec 2.">, 1836, 
to William and Rhoda (.Myers) Benson. When he 
was eight years <>hl his parents removed to Michi- 
gan, where the remaining years of his boyhood and 
the early years Of his manhood was passed, and in 
that State his father and mother spent their last 
days. In 1862 our subject went to Illinois, and on 
the 1 2th of January, 1865, he was wedded in that- 
State to Miss Viola, daughter of Robert and Lucretia 
Richard. Her mother died in Carter County. Ky., 
when Mrs. Benson was a mere child. In the month 
of October following his marriage, Mr. Benson and 
hi- wife came to Nebraska to seek- a home on the 
plains such as the limits of their purse would allow, 
asunder the wise provisions of the Government 
they coidd take up land in accordance with the 
rules of the Homestead Act. which they did in the 
fall of 1866, after having lived a year in Nebraska 
City. They selected Johnson ( 'ounty as most desir- 
able for a location, and took up 160 acres on section 



«*•■ 



8, a part of which is included in their present place, 
Mr. Benson having disposed of eighty acres at a good 

price. The country round about was then in a wild. 
Sparsely settled condition, as with the exception of 
a family a half mile north of their place and an- 
other a mile east of them, they had no near neigh- 
bors, and the market easiest of access was at Ne- 
braska City, where Mr. Benson sold his grain to 
buy household necessities. After set t line- here they 
had no money, their only hope of success lying in 
their strong hands and willing hearts, and then 
commenced for them the struggle, which was 
simply terrible, with drouths, grasshopper raids and 
the attendant famine. In 1868 the grasshopper raid 
caused this latter calamity, and in 1874 there was 
another raid of those destroying insects, accompa- 
nied by drouth, ami also in 1875 a visitation of 
grasshoppers did much damage to the growing 
crops. But amid all these discouragements our 
Subject and his wife did not falter or lose faith in 
the country, and by and by better times came, and 
since that they have prospered well. The farm is 
chiefly under cultivation, is well tilled, and yields 
abundant harvests in return for the care and time 
that Mr. Benson spends on it. 

Our subject is a man of sober, thrift v habits, of 
sound integrity, and one whose word is as good as 
a bond, and in all the relations of life he is always 
found to be kind, thoughtful, helpful, and he and 
his excellent wife are highly esteemed in this com- 
munity, of which they have been residents for more 
than twenty years, and in whose upbuilding they 
have taken their part. 

* -?t3M^^<%«^ * 

y ALTER II. HILL. The gentleman whose 
biography is here sketched is one of the 
enterprising, though young, business men 
of Smartville, in Center Precinct. He enjoys the 
y-ood opinion and regard of his neighbors, and. 
without doubt, has before him a future radiant 
with promise. He was born in Will County. 111., 
on the Kith of November, 1861, and with his par- 
ents went to Livingston County in 1867, where a 
home was made near Pontine. The parents of our 
subject were Daniel F. and Adrea (Snyder) Hill. 



■^U. 



378 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 






who were natives respectively of New York and 
Canada. Mrs. Hill is a native of Canada, and was 
born in 1836. She received the foundation of her 
education there, and went to Chicago with her 
mother when sixteen years old. She was graduated 
from the schools of Chicago, and taught in differ- 
ent points in Illinois until near the time of her 
marriage. In 1872 she removed with her husband 
to Iroquois County. 111. 

In 1879 our subject- went to Chicago, and was 
engaged in the establishment of Mashall Field & 
Co. as a salesman until March, 1883, when he came 
to Nebraska with his parents, who still live about 
two miles east of Smart ville, where they own 160 
acresof land. In October. 1884, Mr. Hill returned to 
Naperville, 111., and was there married,' on the 9th 
of that month, taking as his wife Miss Hettie Stew- 
ard, returning with her at once to the Nebraska 
home. He had been prosperously engaged in mer- 
cantile business with Mr. L. E. Ost, and continued 
with him for two years. At the end of that period 
he went into the gram business, and has since that 
time given all his attention thereto. 

In Illinois Mrs. Hill was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, but has not united with any 
church organization here, as there is none such as 
she would choose. Our subject is a stanch member 
of the Republican party, and an active worker in 
the ranks. He has been appointed a member of the 
Central Committee, and is very energetic in con- 
nection therewith, taking a deep interest in every- 
thing that pertains to the government of the coun- 
try and the elucidation of the different questions 
of moment before the country. 



-f 



—5 #-#* *— 

|0BERT DEW. of Lincoln Precinct, is pleas- 
antly located on section 20, where he makes 
«\ a specialty of stock-raising, and where he 
w@has been located since the spring of 1866. 
At that time, coming from Mason County, 111., he 
hoinesteaded 160 acres of land, and began to build 
up from the uncultivated prairie a home for him- 
self, and those dependent upon him. He was pros- 
pered in his labors, which for a number of years 
were prosecuted early and late, through sunshine 



and through storm, amid the difficulties of a dis- 
tant market, and frequently indifferent crops. In 
looking upon his fine estate to-day it would seem 
that he has little reason for complaint, as lie is now 
the owner of 470 acres of land in Johnson County, 
all of which is in a productive condition, and from 
which he enjoys a handsome income. 

Mr. Dew was born in Morgan County. 111., .Ian. 
1, 1837, and is the son of William and Catherine 
(Clotfelter) Dew, who were natives of Tennessee 
and supposed to lie of Irish ancestry. The pater- 
nal grandfather served in the War of is I 2, and as 
near as can be gathered was a native of Tennesee, 
where he spent his entire life. 

William Dew when leaving his native State set- 
tled in Central Illinois during the period of its 
early history, where he became the father of a large 
family, of whom the following survive, namely: 
Elizabeth, the wife of Ishmael Hickey, of Spring 

Creek Precinct, this county; Nancy, the wife Of 
Charles Carman, of Fremont County, Iowa; Mary, 
also a Mrs. Carman, of Atchison County. Mo.; 
Robert, our subject; Jacob, of Teciunseh; and 
Hester A.. Mrs. Sylvester Cogshall, of Dakota. 
While our subject was an infant his parents changed 
their residence from Morgan to Mason County, 111., 
where the father carried on farming until his death, 
which occurred in 1853. The mother survived her 
husband a period of twenty-nine years, remaining 
a widow, and spent her last days at the home of 
her son in this State, her death taking place about 
1882. 

Mr. Dew was reared to manhood in Mason County, 
111., where he received a limited education, his stud- 
ies being conducted in the pioneer schools with the 
limited facilities of that time. He has, however, 
been a reader all his life, and by the perusal of in- 
structive books and the periodicals of the day, has 
kept himself well informed upon matters of general 
interest. He has known no other occupation than 
farm life, and with this has been content. Soon 
after the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in 
July, 1861, in Company K. 17th Illinois Infantry, 
and participated in many of the important, battles 
of the war, being at Shiloh under Gen. Grant, and 
engaged in various other conflicts with the enemy 
About one and one-half years after his enlistment 



lent * 



<+■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



379 



*. 



he was captured by the rebels in Tennessee, but 
was immediately paroled and sent to Jefferson Bar- 
racks, at St. Louis, Mo., where he remained about 
ten months. He was then duly exchanged, and 
immediately rejoined his regimenl at Vieksburg, 
remaining with it until the expiration of his term 
of enlistment, and receiving his honorable discharge 
in July, 186 I. lie at once returned to his home in 
Mason County, III., and in December following was 
married to .Miss Elizabeth Bain, of Mason County, 
and by whom lie has become the father of eight 

Children. Of these but five are living, namely: 

Ilettie. at home; Nettie, the wife of William Mi- 
ner, of Chase County, this State; Ada. at home; 
Jennie and Minnie. The deceased are John I... 
Carrie M. and Dellie. 

In the spline- of 1866 Mr. Dew, accompanied by 
his family, left Illinois for Nebraska, and settled 
amid the pioneer elements of Johnson County, 
where he was soon recognized as a valued addition 
to the community. He is a stanch Republican, po- 
litically, and takes an active interest in local affairs. 
being the warm friend of education, and serving as 
Moderator in his school district. Socially, he be- 
longs to the I. < ). (i. F.. at Tecumseb. 



-«§-*-* 



AMKS SHAY. The subject of this sketch is 
numbered among the most intelligent far- 
mers of Todd Creek Precinct, where he is 
/' engaged in general agriculture and stock- 
raising, and owns a finely cultivated farm of eighty 
acres lying On sections I and 9. He is a man held 
in high esteem bj his neighbors, courteous and 
honorable, enterprising and public-spirited, and in 
all respects a valuable member of the community. 
Our Subject began life in Knox County. III., on 
the 26th of January. 1839, and there spent his first 
twenty-three years, receiving a practical education 
in the common schools and becoming familiar with 
farming pursuits. At these he was employed until 
1866, when, on account of failing health, he was 
obliged to seek something requiring less exercise 

of muscle. Repairing now to Macon County he 
entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad 
( oiupaiiy. continuing with them a. period of fifteen 

•4* 



years, until the fall of 1882, and officiating much 
of the time as local engineer. 

Mr. Shay, now having partially regained his 
health, crossed the Father of Waters into Nebraska, 
and located upon an improved farm, which he 
hail purchased in (874, and of which he still re- 
tains possession. Ho has effected many improve- 
ments, setting out forest and fruit trees, placing 
the best fencing, and in all respects bringing the 
farm up to the standard of the times. Not the least 
among its embellishments is the handsome resi- 
dence, which, with its surroundings, fulfills the 
modern idea of the complete home. 

One of the most important and interesting events 
iii the life of our subject look place on the 5th of 
March. 1861, when he was united in marriage with 
Miss Rosetta Dolph. This lady is a native of the 
same county in Illinois as her husband, and was 
horn July 6, 1844. Her parents. Anson and Har- 
riet (Darling) Dolph, were natives of New York 
Mate, and the father a fanner and mechanic com- 
bined. He emigrated to Illinois when middleaged, 
and spent his last days in Knox County, dying 
about lrt."i2. The wife ami mother is deceased. 
She was married a second time, and is the Harriet 
Snyder spoken of below. To Mr. and Mrs. Sha\ 
there were horn five children, only four of whom 
are living, namely: Anson D., Ada A., Myrtle M. 
and Carlton !•".. Chester A. died when aboul two 
and a half years old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Shay are members in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Tecum- 
seh, to the support of which they contribute liber- 
ally, as to all other objects having iii view the 
moral and religious welfare of I he community. Mr. 
Shay while in Illinois was a Sunday-school Super- 
intendent for many years, has also officiated as 
Class-Leader, and lien genl as a delegate to the 

various church conferences. lie was at one time 

a local preacher, having heen duly licensed, and 
has always, when time and opportunity afforded, 
kept carefully in view the importance of the Mas- 
ter's work. He has also heen quite prominent in 
other local affairs, holding the various scl I of- 
fices and assisting to thebesl of his ability the cause 
of education. 

Julius Shay, the father of our subject, was horn 



^r 



-*•■ 



•*► 



38U 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



in Sussex County, N. J., in 1813, and when a youth 
of eighteen years accompanied his parents to Ohio, 
where he learned harness-making and saddlery. He 
was occupied at this for many years, but finally 
having the Buckeye State, purchased a farm in 
Knox County. 111., where he is still living and car- 
rying on agriculture. He married, in earl}- man- 
hood, .Miss Elizabeth Amanda Stephens, and to 
them were born six children, all living. Thefather 
identified himself with the Protestant Methodist 
Church early in life, and is a good man in the 
broadest sense of the term. He served as Class- 
Leader and Steward, and gave a liberal support to 
the church of his choice. The wife and mother died 
at the homestead in Knox County, in 1854. David 
Shay, tiie paternal grandfather, also a native of 
New .Jersey, died of measles contracted in the army 
while serving as a soldier in the War of 1812. He 
left a widow with several small children. 

Harriet Snyder, Mrs. Shay's mother, assisted at 
the table when Gen. LaFayette was banqueted in 
New York City, about 1826, while on a visit to the 
country for which he had done such valiant serv- 
ice in the Revolutionary War. 



*<ssm&>".j:'. 



JOHN C.CAMPBELL. The Campbells of 
Scotland have long been celebrated in song 
and story, and of the following of that 
great family the subject of this sketch is 
a descendant, and was born in the city of Edin- 
burgh, Sept. 1, l.S'32. He is now one of the most 
highly respected residents of Spring Creek Pre- 
cinct. His farm on section 30 is indicative on every 
hand of the industry and intelligence characteristic 
of the proprietor. 

Our subject when a youth of eighteen years ac- 
companied his parents, Blair and Isabelle Camp- 
bell, to America, taking passage on a sailing-vessel 
at Glasgow, and landing at New York City after 
an ocean voyage of six weeks and three days. 
From the metropolis they proceeded to Cass County, 
111., where the father began working at his trade of 
shoemaker, first by the day. His innate honesty 
and integrity gained him friends and customers, 



and in due time he established a shoe shop in the 
village of Virginia, where he spent the remainder 
of his life and lived to be ninety years of age. He 
died at the home of his daughter, in Chicago. July 
8, 1886, having survived his estimable wife twelve 
years, her death taking place in the fall of 1*74. 

The parents of our subject were botli members 
of the Christian Church, and. though not obtain- 
ing wealth or luxury for their children, trained 
them in those habits which proved of more service 
to them than riches. The home hearth is remem- 
bered by them as the dearest spot on earth, and 
where cluster the most precious associations. The 
household circle included eleven children, of whom 
but five are living, namely : Isabelle. Mrs. David 
McLaughlin, of Muskegon, Mich.; Margaret, Mrs. 
Rogers, a widow, and a resident of Chicago; James, 
living in Dakota: John, our subject, and Jane, the 
wife of George Ellis, living near Rel Oak. Iowa. 
The deceased are Euphemia, Mary, Archibald and 
three who died in infancy. Archibald enlisted as 
a soldier in the late Civil War, and was drowned 
in the Mississippi River from the steamer -Jane 
Watson" while on his way to his regiment at New 
Orleans, together with about thirty other soldiers, 
whose lives were thus lost, owing to incompetency 
and whisky. 

John C. Campbell continued a member of the 
parental household until his marriage, which took 
place Nov. 6, 1856, his bride being Miss Elizabeth 
Needham. Mrs. Campbell was born in England, 
and came to America with her parents, who were 
of English birth and ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. 
Campbell came to this county in 18G. r ». and Mr. C, 
at once homesteaded 160 acres of land in Spring 
(reek Precinct, of which he has since been a resi- 
dent. The story of the first few years which he 
spent here differs little from that of his brother 
pioneers, and he proved equal to the task before 
him, battling successfully with the elements of a 
new soil, and gaining for himself and his family a 
home and competency. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell there have been born 
six children, namely: Mary Eih'e. who early evinced 
great musical talent, and is now a successful teacher 
of the art; Ellen A., a teacher in the schools of 
Tecumseh; Maggie, a teacher of music: Lucy, who 



■*•- 



=L. 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



383 



is also devoted to this art, and is a teacher of rare 
merit; John, who is pursuing his studios in the 
State Normal School, at Peru, and Ellen, who has 
graduated from that institution. It will thus he 
seen that the children of Mr. Campbell are a re- 
markably bright and interesting group, and have 
been given all the advantages suitable to their 
station in life. The parents and daughters are act- 
ive members of the Christian Church, and Mr. 
Campbell, politically, casts his lot with the Prohi- 
bition party. He has built up for himself the rec- 
ord of an honest man and a good citizen, and 
enjoys in a marked degree the confidence of all who 
know him. 

* ItelLLIAM R. HARRIS, whose beautiful and 

\/\J/l extensive nursery, a view of which is given 
\^fj on the opposite page, has brought him into 
prominent notice in that department of trade, is one 
of the enterprising and wise business men of the 
county. He has some twenty acres of splendid 
land, well laid out and planted in flowers, shrub- 
bery, shade, forest and orchard trees, and is the 
proprietor of undoubtedly the finest nursery in 
Southeastern Nebraska. The whole is so arranged, 
subdivided and laid out as to strike the visitor with 
pleasurable surprise. The arrangement of the va- 
rious beds and groves is most artistic, and one is 
immediately impressed most profoundly with the 
idea that, the proprietor of the nursery is no tyro in 
his chosen calling. In addition to this Mr. Harris 
has seventy acres on section 34 of Nemaha Pre- 
cinct, upon which his beautiful residence has been 
erected. Twenty-five acres of the above have been 
brought to a very high state of cultivation, and as 
rapidly as possible the remainder of the property 
will be the same. Here, as in the nursery proper, 
it is one pleasing picture of true artistic arrange- 
ment of form, shade and tone of coloring. The 
above property is situated about one-half mile from 
the limits of Tecumseh, and therefore readily ac- 
cessible at all times from the city. 

Although there is every appearance that this 
gentleman has occupied the nursery grounds and 
his other property for many years, as a matter of 



fact, in the spring of 1883 Mr. Harris came to it and 
found it in nowise differing from the surrounding 
prairie. It was in a virgin state, and not a furrow 
had ever been turned upon it. No house was there, 
nor improvement of any kind; everything that has 
been done he has effected since that time. His ex- 
hibit at the State Fair has taken the first and sec- 
ond premiums, and also at the County Fair year 
after year. His home is in keeping with his other 
property. Substantially built, of good design and 
artistic finish, its interior presents nothing whatever 
incongruous witli the surroundings, and indeed is 
such as would be an honor to a much older and 
more wealthy city than Tecumseh. He has now 
over 100,000 apple trees and at least forty varieties 
of shade and ornamental trees. His stock is very 
large, and includes many varieties of plants, flowers 
and trees not to be found in the average nursery. 
Only those who have seen the place and been en- 
abled to spend sufficient time to take in the situa- 
tion will be able fully to appreciate the picturesque- 
ness and value of this property. It is a very dream 
of beauty. 

William R. Harris, the subject of this biography, 
was born in Logan County, Ky., on the 7th of 
March, 1842. In the schools of the county he was 
educated and was brought up on the farm of his 
father. He remained at home until 1801, when on 
the outbreak of the Rebellion his native county was 
overrun with the rebel soldiery and their sympa- 
thizers. They tried to force him into their ranks, 
lint he was a strong Union man and did not pro- 
pose to be forced into supporting the cause of those 
who sought to disrupt the best Government on 
earth. He, with a party of other young men, took 
advantage of a dark night, and piloted by one 
thoroughly acquainted with the region, made their 
way through the rebel lines and safely reached the 
Union Army. By request of his father he did not 
at that time join the Union Army as he desired to 
do. The rebels in his native county had threat- 
ened t6 destroy or confiscate the property of Union 
men, who themselves, or their sons, entered the 
National Army. Our subject remained with an un- 
cle in Illinois until the fall of 18G2, when he re- 
turned to Kentucky, at the time when the rebel 
Bragg made his raid into that State. Buell's army 



Je 



384 



JOHNSON COUNTY 



4 



fell hack to Louisville, and our subject remained at 
Bowling Green, employed in buying supplies for 
the army. During 1863 and 1864 he was in the 
secret service and did some independent scouting, 
rendering very valuable service to the Govern- 
ment. On account of this, and to punish him, the 
rebel guerrillas made a raid on his father, robbing 
and maltreating him and threatening his life. Rais- 
ing a party our subject rescued his father and bis 
property and conducted him to Illinois. He then 
returned to the scene of his labors in Kentucky. 
Rebel guerrillas had by this time become very nu- 
merous in that part of the State, and his untiling 
energy in ferreting out their rendezvous and bring- 
ing the Union troops on them so annoyed them that 
in their usual barbarous style they offered a reward 
of §1,000 for him "dead or alive." His operations 
were mainly in the district lying between the Ohio 
and Cumberland Rivers, and he was in a number of 
engagements in that region. He was employed in 
watching the movements of Morgan, Adam John- 
son, Dave Thomas. Rink White, and other of the 
raiders who infested that part of the country, and 
was in many 7 exciting scenes and had many close 
calls. For months at a time he never slept in a 
house, lying out in the woods, always on the look- 
out for the enemy. His principal and best work at 
this time was in going alone at night to hunt up the 
rendezvous of the squad of guerrillas. Making a 
discovery he would take a squad of men and often 
succeeded in bagging the entire gang. 

On these lonely reconnoitering tours he was lia- 
ble at any time to run into a band of the enemy, 
and had to travel constantly with pistol in hand 
and ready for either flight or tight at a moment's 
notice. It took an iron nerve, but our subject 
never haltered or wavered. He traveled over 4,000 
miles on horseback carrying despatches. He was at 
various times attached to the 35th Kentucky 
Mounted Infantry and the 26th and 8th Kentucky 
Cavalry. Once he was taken prisoner by the Louisi- 
ana tigers, and twice by the guerrillas, but was not 
recognized as the noted scout on whose head a price 
was set. and he was released. These and many other 
hairbreadth escapes and thrilling incidents our sub- 
ject experienced during his valuable and trying 
service for the country of his fathers. 



Mr. Harris, Sr., was operating a general stock and 
grain farm when our subject rejoined him on the 
return of peace, and he also took land and went to 
fanning. He was there until March, 1873, when 
he sold out to good advantage and came to Ne- 
braska. While in Illinois he celebrated his mar- 
riage with Miss Amanda Boling, of Mackinaw, in 
the same county. This occurred on the 1st of Feb- 
ruary, 1865. Upon coming to this State Mr. and 
Mrs. Harris settled in Center Precinct, about six 
miles northwest of Tecumseh. There he purchased 
a quarter-section of prairie land and speedily set 
about the work of improving the same. When he 
left it he had succeeded so well in his endeavor 
that it had the finest orchard and the best shade 
trees of any farm in the district. He had planted 
about fifteen acres of orchard and grove, and the 
fourth year after planting out his orchard gathered 
over 500 bushels of apples from it and the same 
amount of other fruit. The subsequent years he ob- 
tained from 800 to 1,000 bushels of peaches, and 
thus from his fruit alone, exclusive of all that came 
to him from his farm proper, was making money. 

Beyond a doubt Mr. Harris has both the knowl- 
edge and energy, supplemented by the means, to 
make money out of Nebraska soil, as every suc- 
ceeding year abundantly testifies. He continued 
on the above farm until 1882, when, meeting with 
most advantageous terms from a financial point of 
view, he sold it. The following year he purchased 
his present property, since which time, as men- 
tioned above, he has wrought the transformation at 
once so brilliant and pleasing. It is hardly neces- 
sary to remark that being the only nursery in the 
vicinity of any pretensions, and situated so near 
the city, it is a very valuable property. Mr. Har- 
ris is exceedingly particular to keep his stock pure, 
and with his own hands does the cutting from the 
most perfect trees, and all his own grafting, and is 
enabled therefore to warrant all stock, knowing ex- 
actly every point connected with its culture. 

The subject of our sketch is an active member of 
the State Board of Horticulture, and is the first 
Vice-President of the same. He has filled the Pres- 
idential chair of the Johnson County Agricultural 
Society, is Secretary of Johnson County Horticult- 
ural Society, also President of the Johnson County^ 
•>- 




JOHNSON COUNTY. 



385 < > 



*t 



Canning Association. Fur six years he filled the 
office of School Director for his district, and has 
several times been a delegate to the State Repub- 
lican Convention at Lincoln. Religiously, he is 
connected with the Presbyterian Church and is a 
prominent member of the same, occupying the 
office of Director therein and also that of Elder. 
In the Sunday-school he has been either Superin- 
tendent or teacher during the whole of the past 
twenty-two years. In every circle, whether social, 
commercial or religious, Mr. Harris receives the 
unqualified regard and esteem of all who know him, 
being a man consistent in every regard to his relig- 
ious profession, of unblemished honor and strict 
business integrity, a man of exemplary character 
and unquestioned position in the community. 

Mrs. Harris was born in Ohio, near the town of 
Dayton, on the 24th of December, 1840, and re- 
moved with her parents to Tazewell County, 111., 
which was her home until her marriage. She is the 
daughter of Alexander and Harriet (Barrett) Bol- 
ing, both of whom were born in Culpeper County, 
Va., and afterward removed to Ohio. The chosen 
occupation of her father was that of husbandry. 
This he continued to follow until his deatli in 1871. 
His widow survived him until the year 1877, when 
she also departed this life, having lived to the ma- 
ture age of seventy-three years. They were strongly 
attached to the Baptist Church and actively en- 
gaged in supporting its interests and extending the 
knowledge of its principles. 

William B. Harris, the father of our subject, was 
born in Warren County, Ky., Aug. 22, LSI 3. Later 
lie removed to Logan County and engaged in 
teaching, and while there he met the lady who 
afterward became his wife, and was united in mar- 
riage March 15,1836. The maiden name of his 
wife was Harriet B. Paisley, of Kentucky. He con- 
tinued in Logan County, engaged in teaching 
school for about fourteen years. During this time 
he studied for the ministry and was subsequently 
ordained a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, 
and officiated in Logan, Todd and Christian Coun- 
ties. He continued active in his profession in that 
district until he was compelled to leave, as above 
related. 

Mrs. W. B. Harris was born on the 15th of Oc- 
•*• 



tober, 1817, and died in 1880, aged sixty-three 

years. She was the mother of twelve children, all 
of whom it was her pleasure to bring to maturity. 
She was a most estimable lady, and, whether in the 
domestic circle, in the church, or in society at large, 
she was everywhere admired and beloved by reason 
of the beauty of her Christian character and true 
womanhood. The Rev. Mr. Harris is still in Taze- 
well County, and, although advanced in years, still 
occupies the pulpit occasionally. His last charge 
was at West Union. He has always been a very 
active worker in his profession, and a man full of 
energy. His son, Waldo B. Harris, is a Congrega- 
tional minister, and is now located at Mazon, 111.; 
another of his sons is J. S. Harris, the able attorney 
of Tecumseh. 

William Harris, the grandfather of our subject, 
was also one of the veteran and honored clergy men 
of the Presbyterian Church. He was born in Penn- 
sylvania; his life work, however, is associated 
chiefly with the State of Kentucky. There lie mar- 
ried Miss High Smith. There were born to them 
seventeen children, twelve sons and five daughters. 
These all came to years of maturity, and entered 
honorable positions in life. Six were ordained 
clergymen in the same communion as their father, 
and several of them won distinguished honors in 
connection with their work in that profession. 




ILLIAM E. CARMAN, a member of the 
prominent family of this name in Johnson 
County, and a successful farmer and stock- 
raiser of Spring Creek Precinct, is the owner of a 
good homestead on section 29, where he is pros- 
ecuting agriculture to the best advantage, and 
acquitting himself as a peaceful and law-abiding 
citizen. He was born in Cass County, HI.. Feb. 9, 
1865, and is the son of Hon. A. A. Carman, a 
sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. 

Our subject was brought by his parents to this 
county when but a few months old, anil here has 
spent his entire life, thus becoming identified with its 
besl interests, acquiring his education in the dis- 
trict school, and spending his life mostly upon a 
farm. In the summer of 1885, being desirous of 



/ 

T 



JU 



~+ ^u <• 



386 



4 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



establishing a home and domestic ties of his own, 
he was united in marriage, July 4, to one of the 
most estimable young ladies of this precinct, Miss 
Alberta Orourke. Mrs. Carman is a native of 
Mason County, 111., and was born Feb. 17, 18GG. 
Her parents were John A. and Arminda Orourke, 
and the mother died in Nebraska in 1873. Mr. O. 
subsequently migrated to New Mexico, where he is 
now living. 

Mr. and Mrs. Carman are the happy parents of 
one child, a daughter, named after her maternal 
grandmother, Arminda, and who was born Sept. o, 
1888. The snug homestead of our subject em- 
braces eight}' acres of good land, upon which he is 
operating with excellent judgment, and which yields 
him a good income. lie is a Republican, politi- 
cal!}', and both he and his estimable wife occupy a 
good social position in their precinct, and enjoy the 
esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends. 

Mr. Orourke, father of Mrs. Carman, is a native 
of Ireland, whence he emigrated early in life before 
his marriage. The mother was born in Mason 
County, 111. They came to Nebraska about 1807, 
where the father remained a few years, then pushed 
farther toward the frontier, landing in New Mexico. 



KNRY LAND WEIR, a pioneer of Johnson 
County, is a fine representative of its stock- 
raising and agricultural interests, and his 
successful career since coming here well 
illustrates what a poor man, with the right amount 
of energy, determination and courage, can do 
by persistent and well-directed labor, on the ex- 
ceedingly fertile farming lands of Nebraska. He 
has a large farm in Helena Precinct, which is 
highly improved and is the source of a fine income, 
so that he is now numbered among the substantial, 
well-to-do citizens of the community. 

Mr. Landweir is a native of Germany, and his 
early boyhood days were passed in the Fatherland. 
In 1848, when a lad of twelve years, he came to 
America with his parents, William and Mary Land- 
weir. They located in Baltimore, Md., and staid 
in that city for a year, and then went to Cincinnati, 
Ohio. Later they removed to Indiana, and there 



spent their declining years. They were honest, 
sober-minded people, whose kind hearts and many 
good qualities gained for them the respect and es- 
teem of the people among whom they settled. 

When' our subject was twenty years old he went 
to Indiana, where he lived until I860. In that 
year he decided to try farming on the rich, allu- 
vial soil of Johnson County, Neb., and coming 
here, he purchased 1 GO acres of land on section 10, 
Helena Precinct, which is now included in his pres- 
ent farm. He had but $900 at the time, and he [nit 
that into his future home, and set to work with a 
will to the pioneer task of upbuilding it from the 
wild prairie. Not a furrow had been turned on 
his land, and there was but a small shanty for the 
shelter of his family. In a few years he has brought 
about a wondrous change. A substantial dwell- 
ing has taken the place of the humble shanty, and 
he has erected a good stable, granaries, corn cribs 
and other necessary buildings, and his farm is 
amply supplied with all the modern labor-saving 
machinery for carrying on agriculture. He has 
been so prospered in his venture that he has been 
enabled to enlarge the boundaries of his estate by 
further purchase of land, until he now owns 480 
acres of as valuable farming land as is to be found 
under Nebraska's sunny skies. This is all utilized 
either as tillage or pasture land, for besides raising 
grain, etc., he pays much attention to stock-raising, 
with eminent success, as is attested by his sleek 
and well-kept herds of cattle, horses and swine. 

Mr. Landweir owns other property besides his 
farm, having purchased two lots in the new town 
of Burr, on the Union Pacific Railway, about two 
miles north of his home, and has erected there a 
building with a large business room, and a hall 
above it, which is fitted up in fine style. 

Mr. Landweir was married in Cincinnati to Miss 
Louisa Finka, who has been to him a devoted wife, 
and has encouraged and assisted him in the up- 
building of his fortune. Their married life has 
been saddened by the death of the four children 
born to them. 

Our subject is a man of more than ordinary 
sagacity, foresight and decision of character, and 
he combines with these good habits and right 
principles, and these are traits that made him sue- 




+*-if^- 



•loll.NsON COUNTY. 



387 i i 



cessful as a pioneer, ami render him a valuable 
citizen of the county, in whose development he has 
been such an important factor. In the early days 
of his settlement here the country round about was 
Still in a wild condition in many places, although 
since that the rapid strides of civilization have 
made a great change in the character of the prairies, 
where are now standing- populous towns, that either 
had no existence then or were but insignificant 
hamlets, and magnificent and valuable farms arc 
scattered on every hand, with thousands of horses 
and cattle, where formerly the buffalo used to graze, 
or deer, antelopes and wolves used to roam. It 
must be a great pleasure to our subject that by his 
energy and industry, he has done his full share in 
bringing about this prosperous state of affairs in his 
adopted county. 



■-•4e£>©-SS"«— $ 



K3— »^8£SWr>r2»»- 



4 



vsg}, HARLES T. BRADLfcY, proprietor of the 

(It _ Bradley House of Tecumseh, the only brick 
\^r' hotel in the city, and patronized largely by 
commercial travelers, is a fine illustration of the 
self-made man. lie commenced at an early period 
of his life to cam his living, and acquired those 
habits of industry ami economy which have been 
the secret of his success, lie is known far and wide 
in this section of country, and universally popular. 

The boyl I days of .Mr. Bradley were spent in 

Guilford, Chenango Co.. N. V., where his birth took 
place May 8, 1825. When a lad eight years of age 
he accompanied his father to Luzerne County, Pa.. 
where he lived until 1866. The serious business 
of his life began as an employe of the Delaware & 
Hudson Canal Railroad Company, greasing car 
axles, and he was in the employ of this corporation 
until a young man twenty-three years of age. a fact 
which speaks well for his industry and fidelity to 
duty. He was now given charge of an engine, 
which he operated until taking a position with the 
Pennsylvania Coal Company. 

Young Bradley, it is hardly necessary to say, had 
kept his eyes open to what was going on around 
him, ami now developed into a civil engineer, and 
in this capacity was occupied during the grading 



and construction of the Pennsylvania Coal Com- 
pany's Railroad. Upon its completion he was 

again given charge of a stationary engine at .bines 
settlement in Wayne County, Pa., for a period of 
live years. He was then changed from Jones set- 
tlement to Dunmore. This road was devoted to 
the transportation of coal for the above-named 
company, and the station over which Mr. Bradley 
had charge comprised live cars with a capacity of 
five tons each. The elevation of the track was 
1,800 feet, ami when at the summit the train was 
released from the engine, an 1 by its own momentum 
descended to the foot of the next elevation, when 
the operation was repeated in the same manner. 
The loader track was lifty-one miles long and had 
twelve summits, some with only a few rods between, 
and the longest a distance of twelve miles. It 
usually took a car about twelve hours to make the 
run. The return track was forty-eight miles in 
length. 

Mr. Bradley was thus occupied for a period of 
sixteen years, and desirous of seeing something 

beyond thei lines of the Keystone state, disposed 

of his interest.- in thai region, an 1 in the winter 
of 1866 made his way to Rock Island, 111. There 
he secured employment in a large sawmill, operated 
by his brother-in-law, I'. Skinner. Later Mr. Brad- 
lev crossed the Mississippi, and purchased a tract 
of land in Cass County, Iowa. This he improved 
into a good farm, which he occupied six or seven 
years, then sold and moved to Atlantic, Iowa, 
where he established a large boarding-house, which 
he conducted successfully two and one-half years. 

Upon leaving this point Mr. Bradley became 
proprietor of the Whitney House at Griswold, 
Iowa, and there began in earnest his hotel experi- 
ence. For the various duties connected with this bus- 
iness he seems to have been peculiarly adapted, and 
has met with rare success. He has officiated as •■mine 
host" most of the time since with the exception of 
a short period spent in the employ of Reynolds 
Bros., of Wvmore. While with them he assisted 
in the building of the Denver extension of the Bur- 
lington & Missouri River Railroad, a distance of ten 
miles. Mrs. Reynolds, the mother of one of the 
contractors, about that time put up the Potter 
House at Wvmore, and this Mr. Bradley conducted 



f 



388 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



for a period of three years, securing for it the repu- 
tation of being the best house at that time in the 
southern part of Gage County. 

From Wymote Mr. Bradley removed to Ham- 
burg, where he lived a short time, and thence to 
Beatrice, purchasing the furniture and fixtures of 
the Randall House, in the latter city, which he con- 
ducted until the 1st of February, 1887. During 
that month he was busily engaged in preparing the 
Bradley House for the reception of guests, and 
since its completion he has enjoyed a fine patronage 
from the best elements of the traveling public. It 
will be seen that he must have been a very busy 
and industrious man during these years, conse- 
quently having little time to devote to political 
affairs. Aside from serving as School Director, he 
has carefully avoided the responsibilities of office. 
He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity 
while a resident of Pittston, Pa., and is still con- 
nected with the brotherhood. He was for a time a 
member of the I. O. O. F., but withdrew from that 
in 1850. 

Mrs. Nancy M. (Morse) Bradley, who became 
the wife of our subject in December, 1850, was born 
Jan. 23, 1832, in New York, and is the daughter of 
Horace and Nancy (Jewell) Morse, who were na- 
tives of New England, and are now deceased. Of 
this union there were born three sons, of whom 
Willard L. died in Pennsylvania when a little lad 
eight years of age; Frank J. is living in Audubon 
County. Iowa; he married Miss Emily Trimmer, of 
that State, and they are the parents of four chil- 
dren: Mabel, who lives with her grandparents; 
Raymond, Marietta and Ethel. George E., a resi- 
dent of Tecumseh, married Miss Corns Lowe, 
of Atlantic, Iowa, and they have one child, a son, 
Charles. 

Albert Bradley, the father of our subject, was 
born in Connecticut, and when a young man left 
New England and settled in Chenango County, N. 
Y., where he was married to Miss P^lecta Jewell. 
They became the parents of eleven children, all of 
whom with one exception lived to mature years. 
The elder Bradley wasa doctor by occupation. In 
1833 he removed to the vicinity of Carbondale, Pa., 
where he spent the remainder of his days, passing 
away in 1861, when about fifty-eight yeais of age. 




During the later years of his life he employed him- 
self as a carpenter. The wife and mother survived 
her husband a period of twenty-eight 3'ears, remain- 
ing a widow. She finally returned to Chenango 
County, N. Y., and there spent her last years, dying 
at the ripe old age of eighty. 

-^V ■.o*o-(C)Jv > <^g)..o*o *«— 

^IGHTON W. HOTALING, County Com- 
missioner and Chairman of the Board of 
Construction of the new court-house in 
process of erection, is a gentleman well 
known throughout Tecumseh and vicinity, where 
he has made a good record and been entrusted with 
important interests. The building referred to, and 
in which the people of Johnson County have a 
common interest, will, it is expected, be an orna- 
ment to the city, as well as credit to the people of 
the county. It is to cover an area of 66x90 feet, 
and to be three stories in height, built of Nemaha 
County stone and St. Joseph pressed brick. The 
stone work is to be eleven feet above the surface of 
the ground, the pressed brick concluding a distance 
of thirty-five feet. The whole is to be topped by 
a fine Pennsylvania slate roof. The partitions 
through the first two stories are to be all brick, as 
well as a part of the third story, with the excep- 
tion of the portion assigned to court purposes. The 
whole is to be as near fireproof as possible. 

The exterior of the Johnson County Court House 
it is intended shall be a duplicate of the York 
County Court House; four porticos eighteen feet 
square of massive stone and iron cover the four 
entrances to the building. The structure within 
is to be finely finished in hard pine. The cornices 
are to be of galvanized iron and terra cotta. The 
whole is to be completed for the sum of $40,000, 
exclusive of the basement and heating apparatus. 
The new court-house will occupy the square which 
comprises an area of 25x25 rods, shaded by a fine 
growth of trees, which were planted fifteen years 
ago, and have nearly attained their development in 
this favorable climate. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Schoharie 
County. X. Y., July 1. 1838. He there spent the 
days of his boyhood and youth, receiving a practi- 



f 



O* 



"T! 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



389 A 



-f 



cal education in i he common schools, and becoming 
familiar with farm pursuits. At the age of twenty 
years be made his way tu Ogle County, 111., where 
In- purchased a tract of land and worked it until 
after the outbreak of the Civil War. On the 16th 
Of July, 1861, lie enlisted with Ins Eve brothers in 
Company A, 2d Illinois Cavalry, which was raised 
by his In-other John R., who after the battle of Ft. 
Donelson was made Gen. Logan's chief of staff. 
Dighton W. participated in many of the important 
battles of that campaign, being at Ft. Donelson. 
Shiloh, Corinth, and meeting the enemy in many 
other engagements and skirmishes. In July of 
18(">3. his health having become greatly affected by 
hardship and exposure, he was obliged to accept 
an honorable discharge. 

Upon leaving the army Mr. Hotaling returned 
to his farm in Ogle County, 111., where he occupied 
himself until the spring of 1865, bringing about 
good improvements, and then sold it at an advanced 
figure. Shortly afterward he came to this State 
and purchased an improved farm in Vesta Precinct, 
this county. Later he sold this and located on land 
in the vicinity of Crab Orchard, while at the same 
time he purchased land one mile south of Sterling. 
He operated the two farms, and in 1870 purchased 
another of lfiO acres in the vicinity of Turkey 
Creek'. From that in 1883 he moved upon his 
present place, one mile southwest of Tecumseh, 
where he has one of the finest estates in the pre- 
cinct. The land has been brought to a good state 
of cultivation, ami the residence is one to be proud 
of. The other farm buildings are fully in keeping 
with the requirements of the intelligent and pro- 
gressive agriculturist. 

Mr. Hotaling in addition to general agriculture 
is considerably interested in stock-raising, but finds 
it more advantageous to rent out his pasture than 
to cultivate the soil. Hi' keeps a fine assortment 
of cattle and horses, and about 100 head of swine. 
He is also the owner of half a block in Tecum- 
seh. Politically, he i:~ the advocate of Republican 
principles, and has held the various minor offices 
of his precinct, including those of School Director 
and County Commissioner. 

Miss Maggie Van Valkeuburg, of Schoharie 
County, N. Y.. became the wife of our subject 



in December. IsC:',. They are now the parents of 
seven children, all living and named respectively: 
Emma, Minnie. Carrie. Stella, Anna. Frank and 
Frederick. The\ are all at home with their par- 
ents. They have been well educated and carefully 
trained as becoming the offspring of prominent ami 
well-to-do citizens. The three eldest are engaged 
in teaching, and the whole family is connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Robert Hotaling, the father of our subject, was 
also a native of Schoharie County, N. Y.. and born 
in 17!H3. He spent his entire life within the limits 
of his native county, and followed the peaceful 
pursuit of agriculture. His death took place in 
September of 1886, after he had reached the ripe 
old age of ninety years. The mother was in her 
girlhood Miss Maria Bitter, and of her union 
with Robert Hotaling there were born fourteen 
children, eleven of whom lived to mature years. 
Five still survive, and are residents of Nebraska 
and Dakota. 

The wife of our subject is a native of the same 
county as her husband, and was bom in April, 
1840. Her parents were John J. and Sophia (Smith) 
V:in Valkenburg, the father a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and a prominent man in his community. The 
household circle included thirteen children, nine of 
whom are living, and residents mostly of New- 
York State. The mother passed away at the old 
home in New York Slate in April. 1886. Mr. Van 
V. is still living, and is now ninety years of age. 



k^A ARTIN V. EASTERDAY occupies a well- 
li \\\ Reserved pl&ce among the prominent and 
II IS progressive farmers of Nemaha Precinct, 
* and is the owner of a fine farm of 480 

acres in extent, thoroughly improved in every part, 
supplied with substantial buildings and an unusu- 
ally line residence, all the result of his own con- 
tinued enterprise and effort. He was born in 
Jefferson County, Ohio, on the 29th of August, 
1 825, and remained there until he had attained to 
the years of young manhood. There he received 
the preliminaries of his education, finishing the 
same at Miililenburg College, after which he was a 



4»- 



=►#-«• 



390 



-•»■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4- 



~t 



successful school teacher for several terras. Leav- 
ing the teacher's desk and ferule lie turned once 
more to the farm, and has remained in that voca- 
tion for the greater part of his life since. 

In October, 1 852^ Mr. Easterday was married 
tn Margaret J. Huston. To them have been 
born eight children, of whom five are living, viz: 
Charles M., Steven A.. Horace II.. Joseph II. and 
Philip S. Oliver ('. died at the age of twenty-one, 
and the other two in infancy. Mrs. Easterday was 
born in Jefferson County. Ohio, on the 28th of 
June, l*:i2. She is the daughter- of John and Isa- 
bella (Drew) Huston. She remained with her par- 
ents until her marriage, and is still spared In her 
family. Her parents were both natives of County 
Tyrone. Ireland. They came to this country and 
settled in Jefferson County; his chosen occupation, 
followed for the greater part of his life, was hus- 
bandry, in which he continued, practically, until 
his death, which occurred in the year 1839. His 
widow, after her hereavement, did not remarry-, but 
kept the farm, and superintending its operations, 
succeeded in keeping her family together, and 
bringing them up as both parents would have de- 
sired. 

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Easter- 
day moved to Montgomery County. 111., and 
purchased a farm. There they continued to reside 
for seventeen years. This was also the place of 
the birth of their children. He continued engaged 
in general and stock farming until the year 1871. 
when lie came to Tecumseh and began to look 
around and inquire into the prospects of this then 
developing country. His prospecting led him to 
purchase property which was then partly improved 
so far as the ground was concerned, but had no 
buildings worthy of the name. These lie supplied 

and had put up in g 1 style. This was his home 

for ten years, and hedid well every season through- 
out that time; but finding a purchaser whose offer 
was unusually appreciative he sold it and purchased 
the extensive property he now occupies, which he 
has used ever since, mainly as a stock farm. 

It was Mr. Easterday who introduced into the 
State the Short-horn cattle. He purchased and 
kept the "Duke of Orleans." a fine imported bull of 
considerable reputation, and the first to come into 

*. 



this county ; also a few full blooded cows. It was 
always his desire to raise the grade of stock in the 
county, and he has done much to that end — prob- 
ably more than any other single individual. After 
this he introduced the first imported hogs, and 
raised the grade of that line of stock also. He is 
now interested in bringing into the district the 
Galloway cattle, for which many advantages are 
claimed. He usually feeds from 17"i to 20(1 head 
of cattle, besides hogs and horses in lame numbers. 

Mr. Easterday has probably forty acres devoted 
to tine forest trees. His orchard contains over 300 
fruit trees Of various kinds and choice variety: 
also small fruits of all kinds in profusion. The 
part of his farm which is devoted to stock is con- 
ducted upon model principles, and is brought al- 
mosl to perfection. The remainder of his farm is 
well fenced and cultivated. 

In 1*77 the subject of this sketch was elected 
County Treasurer, and served two terms, lie has 
also tilled in a most satisfactory manner various 
School and township Offices. In the Masonic fra- 
ternity he is well and favorably known, and has 
received the degree of Knight Templar. With his 
wife Mr. Easterday is a member in good standing 
of the Universalist Church, and takes pleasure iu 
lending his influence and giving active support to 
the same. He is a man of marked ability, thor- 
oughly well posted in all necessary and practical 
points in his business. He is everywhere held in 
high regard, and enjoys an unusually line reputa- 
tion. 

Christian Easterday, the father of our subject, 
was born iu .Maryland about the year 1792, and in 
1800 removed to Jefferson County. Ohio, with his 
father, who was one of the pioneers of that State. 
In that section he always lived, following during 
his active days the occupation of farming. Fi- 
nally he removed to the home of our subject, then 
in Illinois, where he died in 1*78. He was the 
husband of Anna M. Stemple. Tothemwere born 
ten children, eight of whom it was their privilege 
to bring to mature years. His wife was born in 
West Virginia, and was the daughter of Daniel 
Stemple. She lived until about one year previous 
to her husband's death. She was a most womanly 
woman, and a true wife and mother. She had the 



T* 



•►Hf^ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



■«HMi 

39 I , , 



respect and admiration of those who knew her. 
Both were members of the Lutheran Church from 
their youth. 

The grandfather of our subject, Martin Easter- 
day, was born in Germany, and came to this coun- 
• try when six years of age, settling in the State of 
Maryland. There he made his home until 1800, 
when he removed to Ohio, as above related. The 
companion of his life was a Miss Bowers. Their 
farm was cleared from the original forest, l>ui 

shorll\ bore marks that indicated the thorough, 

practical knowledge and ability of the proprietor. 

It remained fur many years in the hands of the 
family, the members of which were sincerely at- 
tached to the old homestead. 

The eldest son of our subject, Charles M.. is now 
at Tacoma, \V. '!'.; he is an able attorney-at-law, 
and enjoys a line practice. lie is married to Miss 
Minnie Locke, of Brownville, and has two bright 
and intelligent children, who bear the names Ruth 
and Fay. Steven A. is at Red (loud. Neb., and is 
a railroad postal clerk; he is the husband of Mag- 
gie Shaugnessy, of Tecumseh, and they also are the 
parents of two children, viz: Olive and Midgie. 
Horace H. is freight agent on the railroad at Red 
(loud, and is also married; Joseph II. has recently 
been admitted to the liar as an attorney, but is not 
yet located, and is at home the greater part of the 
lime. The youngest son, Philip Sheridan, is also 
at home, not having yet completed his education. 

Our subject ami his sons are all stanch Repub- 
licans, and take much interest in political matters. 
This interesting family are among the first in the 
county, ami are certainly worthy of all the esteem 
accorded them, and appreciate it as heartily as it is 
given. 

2~T5«!~€- — 

f T^») NOOI1 CARMAN, one of the pioneers of 
») Johnson County, lives in Lincoln Precinct, 
I — ^ where, on section 7, township 5 uorth, range 
12 east, he owns a fine farm of 202 acres of good 
land. He was horn in Mason County. 111., March 1. 
1846, and is a son of Hon. Alfred A. and Elizabeth 
Carman, of whom a history appears on another page. 
lie lost his mother when eightyears old, and shortly 
thereafter the family moved to Cass County, HI., 

-*• 



where he was reared and received a district scl I 

education. In the fall of 1865 the entire family 
came to Johnson County, Neli.. and when of age 
our subject homesteaded eighty acres of land, which 
is a part of his present farm, the rest having Ijeen 
added by subsequent purchases, and brought to its 
present state of high cultivation by hard labor, it 
having then been nothing but raw prairie. 

Mr. Carman was married, Sept. 5, 1869, to Miss 
Susan J. Vanwinkle, born in Hancock County, 111.. 
Fell. 7. 1850, and a daughter of James and Sarah 
Vanwinkle, who are now living in Phillips County, 
Kan. They came to Johnson County in 1866, anil 
lived here until 1886, when they removed to their 
present residence. To Mr. and Mrs. Carman have 
been born four children, of whom the two eldest. 
Sarah F. and Minnie M., are deceased, and Anna 
V . and Clara B. now survive. 

Loth Mr. Carman and his wife are active mem- 
bers of the Methodist Fpiscopal Church and ardent 
workers therein. He takes a warm interest also in 
educational matters, and has served on the board, 
and is regarded as an upright and honorable man 
and a trustworthy citizen. 

~» **-#-- — 



«! NOS M. SHAW. This well-known citizen of 
Spring Creek Precinct was born Dec. 26, 
j- > 1828, in Medina County. Ohio, His par- 
ents were James and Minerva S. Shaw, natives re- 
spectively of Massachusetts and Virginia. When 
our subject was fourteen years of age the family 
removed to Fulton County, Ohio, where he grew 
to manhood. There were but two children in his 
father's family, himself and his sister A/.elia 1'.. 
now the wife of Henry < '<. Tingley, of Ionia County, 
Mich. Our subject's early education was in the 
district schools. Upon reaching the age of twenty 
years he began attending the Baldwin University 
of Berea, Ohio, staying there some six months. i,ut 
owing to lack of means he was compelled to forego 
his studies for a time and resort to school teaching 
to secure the necessary means. 

Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War our 
subject enlisted. Oct. 21. 1861, in Company F. 68th 
Ohio Infantry, which became a part of the 17th 



^h-* 



•►Hl^ 



392 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



f 



Army Corps, and was assigned to the Army of 
the Tennessee. They were under command of Gen. 
John A. Logan, and participated in the battles of 
Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, the siege and capture of Vieks- 
burg, Champion Hills. Raymond, Jackson, and in 
several minor engagements. With the greater part 
of his company he was discharged, and re-enlisted 
as a veteran Dec. 9, 1863, being assigned to the 
same company, regiment and corps, and still with 
the Army of the Tennessee. They were engaged 
in the Meridian raid and in the principal battles of 
the Atlanta campaign, including the siege of At- 
lanta. The regiment participated in Sherman's 
march to the sea and in his campaign through the 
Carolinas, being present at Johnston's surrender at 
Raleigh. N. ('.. and winding up with the grand re- 
view at Washington. He was honorably discharged 
July 10, 1865. 

After his discharge Mr. Shaw returned to Fulton 
County. Ohio, but soon went to Cameron, Mo., 
where for eight y ears he was engaged in the lum- 
ber, furniture and agricultural implement business. 
In the spring of 1871 lie came to Johnson County, 
and located on the place which has ever since been 
his home. He first bought 160 acres, subsequently 
adding 120 more, all of which he has now well im- 
proved, with substantial and commodious buildings. 

The marriage of our subject was celebrated May 
1. L864, in Ohio. Miss Sarah J. Ford being the 
bride. She was born in Berkshire County. .Mas-.. 
Dec. 11. 18 1 I, and is the daughter of Charles and 
Martha P. (Packard) Ford, with whom she came 
at the age of eight years from her native place to 
Fulton County. Her parents are both now living 
in Cameron, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have 
been born eight children, only three of whom now 
survive. They are named: Anne A., Charles E. and 
Edith M. 

Mr. Shaw holds a somewhat prominent place in 
the political and social life of his community. He 
is a member of t he G. A. R. Post at Talmage, and 
is at present its Commander. He belongs to the 
Masonic fraternity, affiliating with the lodge at Te- 
cumseh. In 1877 he was elected Justice of the 
Peace, has been several times re-elected, and has 
since served continuously. He has also served as 
Assessor of the precinct several terms. Politically, 



he believes in the principles of the Republican party, 
with which he acts. A prominent and leading citi- 
zen in his precinct, he enjoys in a marked degree 
the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, and is 
justly regarded as a representative citizen of John- 
son County. 




ILLIAM HERVEY. When the neighbors 
of a man among whom he has lived for a 
number of years universally speak well of 
him it is sufficient guarantee of his character and 
standing. The subject of this sketch has fully es- 
tablished himself in the confidence and esteem of 
those around him. who give cheerful testimony to 
his worth as a member of the community and one 
who has been active in the enterprises tending to its 
welfare and advancement. The fine farm of 160 
acres which occupies a portion of section 8, Nemaha 
Precinct, has for years been familiarly known as the 
home of our subject, and the improvements thereon 
are due to his enterprise and industry. 

Mr. Ilervcy was born in West Virginia, March 
6. 1833, and lived there until a youth of nineteen 
years. He received a good practical education and 
early in life became familiar with the various em- 
ployments of the farm. In 1852, starting out for 
himself, he made his way to Peoria County, 111., 
where he secured a tract of land and carried on 
fanning a few seasons, then sold out and went to 
Kansas. A year later he recrossed the Father of 
Waters, and returning to Illinois made his home for 
the following eight years in Marshall, Livingston 
and McLean Counties. He was married, March 7, 
1860, to Miss Rachel A. Crow. Their wedded life 
began in Illinois, and in due time they became the 
parents of three children — Lilly J., Ellsworth V. 
and Elmer D. These are all living, and remain at 
home with their parents. They have been well 
educated, and the daughter at times is employed as 
a teacher. The boys assist their father in the farm 
work. 

Mr. Hervey in 1882 sold one of his farms in Illi 
nois and purchased the quarter-section where he 
now lives and to which he removed in the spring of 
1883. His other land in Illinois he disposed of a 
few months since (1888). He has been a prominent 



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-«•■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



893 



4. 



man in the community wherever he has made his 
home, officiating as School Director and giving of 
his means to ever}' worthy enterprise. 

Mrs. Rachel A. (Crow) Ilervey was born in 
Pennsylvania. May 19, 1833. When a young lady 
she removed to Illinois with her father. Philip 
Crow, a farmer by occupation, and who spent his last 
years in Illinois, where his death took place. The 
mother is still living. Mrs. Hervey received a good 
education and taught school for some time before 
her marriage. She and her husband are members 
in good standing of the Presbyterian Church at 
Tecumseh. 

William Hervey, Sr., the father of our subject. 
was born in Ohio, where he lived until reach- 
ing his majority. He then purchased a farm in 
West Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his 
life, 'lying about, 1843. lie was a member of the 
Presbyterian Church; he cast his vote with the old 
Whig party. The mother survived her husband only 
a few years. Their family consisted of five children, 
all of whom lived to mature years, and of whom 
our subject was next to the youngest. William 
Hervey, Sr.. was first married in early manhood to 
a Miss Glenn, of West Virginia, and they became 
the parents of eight children, all of whom lived to 
mature years. This lady died in middle life. 




•f 



ON. MILO K. CODY. The subject of this 
sketch was numbered at an early date among 
the pioneers of Elk Creek Precinct, where 
he is now one of its most extensive land- 
owners, having 840 acres of some of the finest farm- 
ing land in this part of Johnson County, and lying 
adjacent to the village of Elk Cieek. The greater 
part has been brought to a state of cultivation, and 
a large area is devoted to pasture, Mr. Cody being 
largely interested in fine stock, comprising Durham 
and Polled- Angus breeds. 

The residence of Mr. Cody, a fine and imposing 
structure, occupies a commanding situation in the 
center of the village, within whose limits he also 
owns other valuable property. He has a two-thirds 
interest in the brick building, the first brick struc- 
ture erected in the business portion of the town, 

4* 



which was put up in 1882, and is now occupied by 
Mr. McClanahan, owner of the remaining third in- 
terest, and son-in-law of our subject. In connec- 
tion with his son, Mr. Cody also owns a livery 
stable, operated by the former. On his farm he 
has about 100 acres of natural timber, besides con- 
siderable put out by himself, together with six acres 
of apple and peach trees, in addition to the smaller 
fruits. Nothing has been left undone to complete 
the comforts of one of the finest homes in the 
county. 

The earliest recollections of our subject are of a 
modest home in Onondaga Count}', N. Y., where 
his birth took place July (!, 1821. He lived there 
with his parents until a lad of fourteen years, then 
removed with them to Washington County, Ohio. 
Three years later, young Cody starting out for him- 
self, went to DeWitt County, 111., but in a year re- 
turned to Ohio, and in the summer of 1840 jour- 
neyed to Washtenaw County, Mich, lie was there 
engaged in farming two years, and before leaving 
the Wolverine State bought land in Ionia County, 
the cultivation and improvement of which he car- 
ried on five or six years. Thence, after selling out, 
he moved to a farm in Dane County, Wis., but two 
years later, selling out once more, assumed charge 
of a hotel at Pleasant Branch, eight miles from the 
city of Madison. Here he officiated as "mine host" 
for a period of eight years, and was in the mean- 
time appointed Postmaster, which office beheld un- 
til his removal from the Slate. 

Mr. Cody had been successful in his various en- 
terprises, but had not yet settled upon a location 
which fully met with his requirements. He now- 
determined to make an experiment in the Terri- 
tory of Nebraska, and accordingly in the summer 
of 1859 visited this county, and purchased land 
one and one-half miles south of Elk Creek. Here 
he has since operated, and in the meantime he added 
to his real estate until at one time he was the owner 
of 1,400 acres of land. He has given each of his 
sons and daughters 100 acres, and disposed of some 
besides this. The 160 acres which be retains as his 
homestead is amply watered by the Great Nemaha, 
which runs along the southeast corner of the farm. 

Since the time of his coming here our subject 
has been identified with local affairs, and that same 



^f* 



4= 



39 I 



-•*- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



year was elected Comity Treasurer, serving accept- 
ably two years, and collecting the taxes for three 
years. Subsequently lie was elected Count}' Judge, 
serving two years. During this time his office wns 
in Tecumseh, but he still retains his residence in 
Elk Creek. He was next given a seat in the Terri- 
torial Legislature for two terms, although not in 
succession. His jurisdiction for the first term ex- 
tended over the counties of Johnson, Gage, Clay, 
Jones and Saline. The last term he was the first 
Representative elected for Johnson County alone. 
During his service in the Legislature he was placed 
on important committees, including that of Ways 
and Means, and was also Chairman of the Library 
Board. The Legislature at that time met in the 
young town of Omaha, which gave little indication of 
its future importance. He has officiated as Justice 
of the Peace for many years, has served with the 
Board of Elections, and been identified with school 
matters, in which he nlwaj's maintains a lively in- 
terest. Socially, he is a Knight of Pythias, and in 
religious matters, a devout member of the Christian 
Church at Elk Creek, in which he is a Trustee. 

Miss Mary Baldwin, a native of Allegany County, 
N. Y., became the wife of our subject at McCon- 
nellsville, Morgan Co.. Ohio, Jan. 14, 1841. Mis. 
Cody was born Nov. 6, 1822, and is a daughter of 
Joseph and Sarah (Hayes) Baldwin. When she was 
a child of eight years, her parents crossed over into 
the Dominion of Canada, where they lived three 
and one-half years, the father engaged in farming. 
Thence Mrs. C. returned to the States, and located 
in Harrison County, Ohio, her parents in the mean- 
time having died in Canada. She was a resident of 
the Buckeye State until her marriage. Of her 
union with our subject there were born five chil- 
dren, fourof whom are living, namely : George W., 
a resident of Eresno, Cal. ; Zach Taylor, of Elk 
Creek; Horace A., of Elk Creek, and Caroline A. 
McClanahan. 

George W., the eldest son of our subject, mar- 
ried Miss Mary Gray, of this county, and they have 
three children, sons — Thorley, Harvey P. and Milo 
K., Jr. This son is engaged in the real-estate busi- 
ness in Eresno County, Cal. Zach Taylor married 
Miss Sarah Simons, and makes his home with his 
father on the farm, although engaged in the livery 



business at Elk Creek; Horace A. occupies himself 
at Elk Creek; Caroline A. is the wife of T. W. H. 
McClanahan, a hardware merchant of Elk Creek, 
and they have three children — Archie, Fannie and 
Cleveland. 

The father of our subject, Daniel Cody, was born 
in Worcester, Mass., about 1 7 7 L> . He was reared a 
farmer's boy, and carried on agriculture, first in his 
native State, then in New York and Ohio. His 
death took place in Columbia County, the latter 
State, in 1844. He had married in New York State, 
in early manhood, Miss Hannah Mauley, who was 
born in Massachusetts, but who removed with her 
parents to the Empire State early in life. The pa- 
rental household included eleven children, among 
them two pairs of twins. Milo K. was the youngest 
of the family. The mother after the death of her 
husband removed to Michigan with her son Milo, 
and lived with him fourteen years. She then went 
back to Ohio, and died at the residence of her son 
in Washington County, about 1874. 

Mr. Cody is the oldest living resident of Elk 
Creek Precinct, and has witnessed with the keenest 
interest its transformation from an uncultivated 
tract of land to a civilized and intelligent commu- 
nity, who are in the enjoyment of the comforts of 
life, living upon pleasant homesteads, and having 
around them modern conveniences. His career has 
been distinguished by that generous liberality which 
has caused him to interest himself in those matters 
pertaining to the general welfare of the people, and 
he has given a cordial ami substantial support to 
the projects calculated to insure their standing, so- 
cially, morally and financially. He numbers scores 
of friends„among the people of ^Johnson County, 
who have rendered him due appreciation as the re- 
ward of his generous labors among them and in 

their behalf. 

- 000 - 



^/ AMES DEULEN,a prominent figure among 
the enterprising men of Crab Orchard, owns 
and operates one of its finest livery lines, 
and has one of the best outfits in the county. 
He was formerly a successful farmer, owning and 
operating land in Western Precinct. In 1884 he 
invested a portion of his capital in his present en- 



r 



i*H|--*t 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



395 



f 



terprise, which proved :i fortunate venture, bringing 
lit in a liberal patronage. His residence is in the 
southern part of town. He is a prominent figure in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and uniformly 

votes the straight Republican ticket. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Greene 
County, 111., Oct. 29, 1850, and is the son of Kelen 

and Sarah (Dawson) Deulen, the former also a native 
of Greene County, III., and the latter of Hamilton 
County, Ohio. The father was a farmer by occu- 
pation, which he carried on in Illinois during his 
younger years. In ISC.:! he left his native county 
and settled in Wayne County, Iowa. The father 
is deceased; the mother now resides in Filley, Neb. 

Mr. Deulen when a youth of sixteen years crossed 
the Mississippi into Wayne County, Iowa, where he 
was employed at farming three years. In 186.9 he 
returned to his native county, and for seven years 
thereafter was employed as a farm laborer. He took 
up his residence in Montgomery County, 111., in 
is?."', where he carried on farming for a period of 
ten years. Then he came to Nebraska in January, 
1883, sojourning for a lime in Beatrice, and in the 
meantime purchased a tract of land two and one- 
half miles southeast of Crab Orchard. He only lived 
there until December, 1884, when he purchased an 
interest in the livery business of L. V. Hunt, and 
remained in partnership with this gentleman until 
July, 1886, when he became sole proprietor. His 
horses and vehicles are valued at $3,500, and he 
receives the patronage of the best, people of Crab 
( Orchard and vicinity. 

Mr. Deulen while a resident of Montgomery 
County, III., was married, Oct. 28, 1871, to Miss 
Lucy Rummons. This lady was born in Warren 
County, Mo., and is the daughter of John and Ju- 
liet ( Pringle) Rummons, who were natives of War- 
ren County, Mo., and arc now deceased. To Mr. 
and All's. Deulen there have been born three chil- 
dren, one of whom died when four months old. 
Charlie and Edna, the survivors, are thirteen and 
eleven years old respectively. The little family oc- 
cupy a pleasant home in the southern part of town, 
and extend a generous hospitality to hosts of 
friends. Mr. Deulen was elected Constable in 1885, 
and is a member of the Town Council and the 

Scl 1 Board. Wide-awake and energetic, he takes 

"•• ■ 



a lively interest in the prosperity of his commu- 
nity, and is active in those enterprises tending to 
this end. 

/^ASSIUS P.ROBINSON. Of the farming 

(l\ D comlnun ' l y or ln ' s county few are more 
^^:' worthy to represent that industry in this 
district than the gentleman whose property is situ- 
ated on section 29 of Vesta Precinct, and whose 
name is placed at the head of this sketch. He was 

born in Erie County, Pa i the 2d of March, 

18-17. His father, John Robinson, is a native of 
Columbus. Ohio. In bringing up his son Cassius 
he provided him with every opportunity to obtain 
a fair English education, and when not thus en- 
gaged he was fully employed in various duties 
about the farm. 

Mr. Robinson came to this county in 1878, and 
has since made it his home. He settled upon his 
present farm in 1883, and owns 200 acres of excel- 
lent farming land. He makes graded stock a spe- 
cially, and as a stock-raiser has long enjoyed a 
large measure of success. He is the owner of one 
of the finest farms of the county. On the Nth of 
December, 1870, he celebrated his union with 
Alice E. Shaw, the daughter of George Shaw. She 
was born in Hancock County. Ohio, but for several 
years prior to her marriage she had been a resident 
of this county. After her marriage she became the 
mother of six children, whose names are as here 
given: Sherman C, Ilattie M., Birdie S.. Elizabeth 
M., John C. and Harrison K. 

Mr. Robinson is a Justice of the Peace. He has 
also held several other local offices, always doing 
so in a most satisfactory manner. He is a stanch 
friend and advocate of the principles of the Chris- 
tian Church, in whose communion his membership 
has been for many years, and is also a prominent 
member of the A. 0. U. W. lie is a man who, al- 
though always ready and willing to take up any re- 
sponsibility that COmea to him as a citizen, at the 
same time does not care for the official chair, 
whether in the lodge or elsewhere. Nevertheless 
he has been prevailed upon to fill some offices, al- 
ways performing every duty connected therewith 



■^^ 



-4^ 






396 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 




"f 



in a conscientious and thoroughly impeccable man- 
ner. He has won and retained the regard of his 
fellows, and is one of that class of worthy men who 
are the bettor and not the worse for knowing; in 
fact a long acquaintance with our subject is almost 
necessary to the complete appreciation of the many 
happy and favorable qualities with which he is 
endowed. 



blloMAS McCLURE is one of the practical 

and successful general farmers of Todd Creek 
Precinct, and the owner of an extensive and 
thoroughly improved farm of 1,185 acres, part of 
which is in Maple Grove Precinct. The home farm 
contains 685 acres, and is mostly situated on sec- 
tion 23. He first came to this State in May, 1858, 
when he took up a quarter-section claim in Ne- 
maha County, and lived upon the same for six 
years, but selling that property, he in 1866 pur- 
chased that he now owns. 

At the time of his settlement our subject found 
his farm in an entirely undeveloped and primitive 
condition. All the improvements that may be seen 
to-dav are the result of his characteristic, intelli- 
gent management anil continued effort. His stock 
farm is one of the best in the district, and is 
worthy of more than passing remark. lie has pro- 
vided a complete set of necessary farm buildings 
and sheds, and lias embarked in the enterprise with 
zest. He chiefly' raises and feeds cattle of the Gal- 
loway and Polled-Angus breeds, and has usually 
about 150 head on his farm. He also breeds large 
numbers of draft horses, for which a ready market 
is found. 

Our subject built his house in 1876, and it is a per- 
fect model farmhouse, substantially built, admirably 
designed, and furnished with taste and even ele- 
gance, lie, although a somewhat prominent citi- 
zen, avoids all politics, excepting that of the exer- 
cise of his right of ballot, which is usually in favor 
of the Republican party. In the Masonic fraternity 
he is -well known and always favorably received, and 
has been admitted to the degree of a Royal Arch 
Templar. 

Mr. McClure was born on the 1st of November, 
1835, in Darke County, Ohio, and continued to live 



thereuntil his parents removed to Indiana, when 
he was two years of age. Subsequently they went 
to Illinois, and settled in Lee County, where he 
received his education in the common schools. 
From his earliest years he has been conversant with 
farm work and surroundings of an agricultural na- 
ture. It was not therefore without a certain fit- 
ness of things that lie should determine to make 
husbandry his chosen calling in life. This he did 
in that county, where he continued to live until 
1853. For the next five years his home was in 
Appanoose County, Iowa, but he sold his property 
there in 1858 and came to Nebraska. 

Since coming to this State our subject has been 
more successful, financially, than ever before, and 
has seen his prosperity making unparalleled and 
unexpected strides. lie was married on the 28th of 
November, I860, the lady of his choice being Mist, 
Ellen Ball, of Appanoose County, Iowa. There 
have been born to them six children, all of whom 
are still living. Their names are as follows: Han- 
nah, Hester. Ira, Nina, Idella and Daisy. They 
are in attendance at the classes of the schools of 
the district, and are laying good foundations for 
future usefulness. 

The wife of our subject was born in Monroe 
County, Ohio, in the year 1832, and continued to 
live there until she had grown out of girlhood; 
then, with her parents, she went to Iowa, and con- 
tinued to make her home with them there until her 
marriage. She is the daughter of Samuel and Han- 
nah (Snyder) Ball, natives of Maryland. Mr. Ball 
is now residing in California, living a retired life. 
His wife died in the year 1880. Hannah, the 
daughter of Mr. McClure, was born in May, 1866, 
and was, it is believed, the first female child born 
to a permanent settler in Todd Creek Precinct. 

The father of our subject was born in the North 
of Ireland, in County Antrim, and continued to 
make his home there until he came to this country as 
a young man. He first settled in Pennsylvania, but 
kept moving westward, and lived subsequently in 
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois. Iowa, and, lastly, in this 
State. In each he has followed farming as his 
chosen occupation. Before leaving the old coun- 
try he married Mary Jane Young, of the North of 
Ireland, and there came to them nine children, of 

. •» 



T 



JL 



4** 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



397 




whom eight live to mature years and six are still 
living. Hi' was extensively engaged in farming, 
and finally removed to Table Rock, Pawnee County, 
where be lived a retired life until Ins death, in 
1 880, when he was about eighty-five years of age. 

Daniel MeClure, who is widely known in con- 
nection with his grain business at Elk Creek, is a 
brother of our subject, and the only one who is in 
this. State, the other members of the family being 
scattered through different Eastern and Western 
States. 



felLLIAM SUTTON. The gentleman whose 
'// name stands at the head of this sketch is 
carrying on fanning successfully in Spring 
Creek Precinct, operating a valuable tract of land 
on section 17. An Ohio man by birth, he first 
Opened his eyes to the Unlit in Perry County, that 
State, in March, 1832, and is the son of Joseph and 
Hannah E. (Grimes) Sutton, who were natives of 
County Carlow, Ireland. William was the youngest 
in a family of ten children, and when about one 
year old his parents removed to Hocking County, 
Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, and became 
familiar with the various pursuits of farm life, lie- 
ing in a section of country where schools were nut 
very plentiful, his education was rather limited, 
but he possessed intelligence and sound common 
sense, and has made his way in the world where 
many a scholar has failed. 

In the fall of 1854, when Mr. Sutton wasayoung 
man of twenty-two years, he removed westward 
with his parents to Lee County, III., where the 
father still prosecuted agricultural pursuits, and 
where his death took place in March, 1874. The 
mother survived her husband six years, dying in 
July, 1880. Five of their children are still living. 
William, on the 26fch of March, 1867, was united in 
marriage with Miss Electa Chapin, (lie wedding 
taking place at the home of the bride in Illinois. 
Mrs. Sutton was born in Medina County, Ohio, 
Sept. 17, 1838, anil is the daughter of Levi and 
Eliza (Hamilton) Chapin. the father a native of 
Massachusetts, and the mother of New York Shite. 
They were among the earliest settlers of Medina 



County; the father passed away in 1886, and the 

mother in 1871. They spent their last years in 
Medina ( lounty, < >hio. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sutton settled 
on a farm in Lee County. 111., where Mr. S. car- 
ried on farming until the fall of 1880, then re- 
solved to cross the Father of Waters and east his 
lot with the people of this county. He settled soon 
afterward on his present farm of ICO acres, and has 
effected most of the improvements the passing 
traveler observes to-day with interest. It has taken 
both good management, and wise economy to make 
agriculture profitable on his farm, but with the 
assistance of his estimable and sensible wife, who 
has been at all times a safe and wise counselor, 
he is making good headway toward a competency 
for his old age. He votes the straight Democratic 
ticket, and endeavors to square his life by the 
Golden Rule. Mrs. Sutton is a member in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
the family have gathered around them many friends 
since their sojourn in Spring Creek Precinct. 

The union of our subject and his wife resulted 
in the birth of four children, one of whom, Arthur 
L., died when six months old, in Illinois. The 
survivors are: Lizzie E., born Feb. 27. 1869; 
Tal ('..born Jan. 19, 1871; and Harry II., born 
Feb. 2, 1873. They are all at home, and prove 
of great service, not only in lightening the labors 
of the homestead and household, but form the joy 
and pride of their parents. 



ft/OHN P.PRICE,a son of one of Johnson 
County's first settlers, has been identified 
with the most important interests of the 
county, but is now living retired from busi- 
ness in the pleasant town of Smartville, he havblff 
acquired a competence by untiling industry and 
the shrewd management of his affairs. Mr. Price 
is a native of Kentucky, and a son of Robert and 
Nancy Price, who were also born in that State. 
They came to Nebraska June Hi, 1856, and were 
among the first pioneers of Johnson County, and 
here the father perished in a storm, on the 11th 
day of December, the same year. The mother of 
■► 



T 



4 



398 



-*» 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



our subject subsequently became the wife of the 
founder of Smartville, Mr. Robert Smart, and is 
now living here with him. at an advanced age. 
For further parental history see sketch of Robert 
Smart, on another page of this volume. 

Our subject spent his early years in his Kentucky 
home, aud subsequently accompanied his parents 
tn Nebraska. They first located in Spring Creek, 
about five miles from Tecumseh, and to them be- 
longs the honor of having built the first house in 
that vicinity. Our subject lived there until 1874, 
when lie bought a farm west of Sterling, and for some 
years was engaged in agricultural pursuits, devel- 
oping a line farm from the prairies. He continued 
in that occupation until 1880, when he came to 
Smartville. and turned his attention to the grain 
and stock business, which he continued until about 
the middle of August, ISSS, when he had a tine 
opportunity to dispose of his business at a large 
profit, and he did so. and lias since been living on 
his income, an all-sullicieiit one. in his cozy home 
in Smartville. 

The marriage of Mr. Price to Miss Ann Lawson 
took place in this county in August, 1870, and has 
been blessed to them by the birth of seven children, 
now living. 

Mr. Price is prominent in social and political 
circles in Johnson County. He is identified with 
both the < )dd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, 
being a member of Sterling Lodge No 63, I. < >. <>. 
I-'., and of Sterling Lodge No.31, K. of 1'. Politi- 
cally, he is one of the leading Democrats of Smart- 
ville, and that party has no firmer supporter than 
he. lie is a man of good habits, sound principles, 
and of varied information, and in him Smartville 
finds one of her best citizens. 



"~-x/V »\<jL(2£/©-$g-"«- 



*£&SSff?r&*~ *W~- 



t 



Ij, ENRY MOLLER, who holds a good position 

|ifjj] among the farmers and stock-raisers of the 
'£xfl precinct of Spring Creek, and has by his in- 

SiQ) dustry and perseverance built up a good 
homestead pleasantly located on section 16, is a na- 
tive of Sleswiek-Holstein, Germany ; he was born 
Jan. 22, 1842. He is the son of Jorgen and Maria 
(Fabian) Moller, and is now the youngest of their 



living children. He received a fair education, both 
in the Danish and German tongue, and has all his 
life been familiar with agricultural pursuits. 

Mr. Moller spent his youth and early manhood in 
his native Province, but in 1868 set his face toward 
the New World, taking passage at the port of Ham- 
burg on the steamer "Saxonia,' : which landed him 
safely in New York Citj' after a voyage of four- 
teen days. Thence he made his way directly to 
Franklin County, Ind., where he worked as a farm 
laborer one year, then crossing the Mississippi, was 
employed on a farm near the citj' of St. Louis, Mo., 
for a period of three j'ears. Upon leaving there 
he came to Nebraska, working first on a farm in 
Nemaha County, but in January, 1873, came to this 
county anil invested a portion of his hard-earned 
capital in eighty acres of land upon which he now 
lives. This was a school tract for which he paid $7 
per acre. In due time he added forty acres to his 
first purchase, having now 120 acres, all of which 
has been brought to a good state of cultivation. 

Not a furrow had been turned upon the land of 
Mr. Moller when he first took possession, neither 
were there an} - fences nor buildings. The task be- 
fore him would have dismayed many a man, but he 
had inherited from his German ancestry that spirit 
of resolution and perseverance which would admit 
of no such wind as fail, and he has been amply re- 
warded. The farm is nearly all enclosed with beau- 
tiful hedge fencing, while the dwelling anil barns 
are noticeable, together with the other out-build- 
ings, as being .'imply adapted to the purposes of 
farm life. 

Mr. Moller was without means upon his arrival in 
America, and has consequently been the architect 
of his own fortune, having received assistance from 
no one save his industrious and estimable wife. To 
this excellent lady, who in her girlhood was Miss 
Annie M. Berg, he was married Dec. 6, IK74, at 
her home in this precinct. Mrs. Moller was born 
Aug. 4, 1860, in New York, anil is the daughter of 
Harmon II. and Elizabeth (Vahly) Berg, who were 
natives of Germany. The mother is deceased; the 
father resides in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Moller there have been, born two daughters: Annie 
M. E., Oct. 3, 1877, ami Dora, July 27, 1884. Mr. 
and Mrs. M. are members in good standing of the Lu- 






■*•- 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



399 



theran Church, and our subject, politically, is a trust- 
worthy Republican. He lakes a genuine interest 
in the advancement of his adopted county, and has 
served as School Moderator in his district for the past, 
three years. lie uses about three work horses in his 
farm operations, and usually keeps a herd of fourteen 
head of cattle with forty head of swine, from the 
proceeds of which he realizes a handsome sum. lie 
is a man whom his neighbors hold in high respect, 
as one whose word is considered as good as his 
bond. 



<if)AMES W. COOK, well known throughout 
Helena Precinct and vicinity, owns and oc- 
cupies a good farm on section 10, and is 
numbered among the thrifty and well-to-do 
agriculturists along the northern line of Johnson 
County. A native of Brown County, Wis., he was 
born June 27, 1S53, and is the son of Andrew and 
Hannah (Clulo) Cook, the former of whom is still 
living, and a resident of Tecumseh. The mother 
died about 1878. 

Our subject came to Nebraska with his parents 
when a small boy, they settling first in Otoe County. 
About 1 Ml I they changed their residence to Johnson 
County, the father securing a tract of land in Helena 
Precinct, and which is now owned and occupied by 
our subject. Their first shelter was a rude log house, 
Banked by a log stable in which were sheltered the 
horses and the limited number of other live stock. 
A few acres had been broken, and these constituted 
the improvements upon a tract of land which is 
now numbered among the valuable estates of this 
county. Andrew Cook was a man of great energy 
and industry, and was prospered in his labor. He 
retired from its cares and responsibilities about 1872, 
taking up his abode with the family in Tecumseh, 
where he is still living. 

The father of our subject was three times mar- 
ried, there being born of his first union, with Han- 
nah Clulo, seven children, who are recorded as 
follows: Elizabeth, the wife of Donald McC'uaig, 
lives in Nebraska City; John W., Charles C. Ed- 
ward, Andrew, and James \\\. our subject, are resi- 
dents of this county; Lucy, Mrs. S. II. Fullerton, 

«• 



lives in Atchison, Kan. The lather is a man of 
decided views and excellent judgment, one whose 
opinion was generally respected in his community. 
He served for a time as County Commissioner and 
Justice of the Peace, and during his long and use- 
ful career filled many other positions of trust and 
responsibility. In his old age he is surrounded by 
hosts of friends, and may look with pardonable sat- 
isfaction upon a well-spent life, lie identified him- 
self with the Methodist Episcopal Church many 
years ago, and has been one of its pillars for years 
in this county. 

James W. Cook, our subject, was reared to man's 
estate at the homestead in Helena Precinct, receiv- 
ing a practical education in the common schools. 
He has witnessed many changes within the last 
twenty years, and like his father before him, is no 
unimportant factor in the growth and prosperity of 
Johnson County. With the exception of four years 
spent as clerk in a. mercantile establishment in Te- 
cumseh, he has been from his boyhood up continu- 
ously engaged in agricultural pursuits. 

Our subject was married, Aug. 11, 187b', to Miss 
Rillia Talliaferro, who was born July 7, 1855, in 
Platte County, Mo., and lived with her parents until 
their death, then made her home with her sister in 
Iowa until her marriage. His parents were natives 
of Ohio and Illinois, and are now deceased. Of 
this union there are three children: Nellie, born 
Aug. 12, 1877; Lou, Jan. 27, 1879, and Belle, Oct. 
23, 1884. The Cook homestead embraces 200 acres 
of finely improved land, with good buildings, and 
both in his agricultural and stock-raising operations 
our subject has been uniformly successful. He is a 
Republican, politically, and a member and Treas- 
urer of the School Board in his district. Both he 
and his estimable wife number their friends by the 
score in their neighborhood and vicinity. 

l jt7 AWRENCE W. HOSICK has firmly eslab- 
I (^ lished himself as one of the capable, re- 
J'—^Vi liable citizens, and practical and prosperous 
fanners of this county, lie owns and Operates 1 HO 
acres of good fanning land, which is situated on 
section 27, township <i north, range I I east. He is 



• +_^ m < • 



4= 



400 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4 



an Illinoisan, and was born in Marshall County on 
the 8th of January, 1855, and is the son of James 
and Dorothea E. Hosick, who are natives of West 
Viriginia, and areof Irish extraction. They are now 
residing in Nemaha Precinct, this county. 

Our subject is the eldest of six children born to 
his parents, whose names are as here appended-: 
Lawrence W.. Willard T.; Lulu M., who is married 
to E. A. Ingersoll, of Johnson County, Neb.; Alma 
S., Zelda E., James F. The parents migrated from 
West Virginia to Marshall County. 111., in the year 
1854, being among the very early settlers in the 
county. They continued to make it their home 
until 1880, at which time they removed to this 
county .-iiid took up their present farm. They are 
identified with the membership of Hie Presbyterian 
Church at Tecumseh, and in that; communion Mr. 
Hosick, Sr., has served in the Eldership foranum- 
ber of years. In politics he is a linn Republican. 

Until he attained to his majority our subject 
continued to live in the old home, .and was brought 
up amid the pioneer scenes of his native county. 
From his earliest recollection he has been connected 
with farm life, and at an early age began to per- 
form the various duties that his development and 
intellect placed within his power. He was united in 
wedlock with Barentha Buck, on the 21th of Sep- 
tember, 1878, who is the daughter of Lewis and 
Sarah Luck, who were born in Indiana. The father 
is living in Peoria, 111.; the mother departed this 
life in the year 1877. Three children have been 
horn to our subject and his wife. These have been 
Darned as follows: Ora N. was horn Jan. 27, 1880; 
Harry E., Aug. 1, 1881; and a babe unnamed, 
Oct. Ill, 1888. 

In the spring of 1879 our subject removed to 
Sumner County, Kan. There he engaged in farm- 
ing, anil continued to live about fifteen months. 
At the end of that period lie went to Nemaha 
Precinct, in this county, but only remained until 
tin- spring of 1881, when he came to their pres- 
ent property, which is eighty acres in extent, and 
i-, one of the best cultivated in the precinct. 

Mr. Hosick is at present serving his school dis- 
trict as Moderator. He and his wife are members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and are regarded as 
among the most consistent and devout in the com- 



munion, and are much valued and worthy members 
of the community, where they are held in high re- 
gard. Politically, our subject is a Republican. 
and an active member of the party, and one who 
has been identified with it for many years. 



^7 AMES S. BLYTHE. The subject of this 
sketch occupies a worthy and exalted po- 
sition among the leading farmers and stock- 
Wsji/ growers of Nemaha Precinct. He is pleas- 
antly located on section 32, where he owns and 
operates Kin acres of land, is sheltered by a hand- 
some and substantial residence, and has around him 
all the comforts and conveniences of the modern 
rural homestead. As a man and a citizen he enjoys 
the esteem and confidence of all who know him. 

Mr. Blythe was born in Tennessee, Jan. 2(1, 1821, 
and seven years later was taken by his parents to 
Arkansas. Subsequently they returned to their 
native State, settling in Memphis for a time, and 
thence removed, in 1837, to Texas, and there the 
father died that same year. The mother remained 
in Texas, where she lived some years, and where 
her death took place in 1853. The father of 
our subject was born in North Carolina, and dur- 
ing the early years of his life engaged in mer- 
chandising. He and his wife, Theodosia (Trigg) 
Blythe, became the parents of thirteen children, 
eleven of whom lived to mature years; five are now 
surviving. The father was a quiet, unobtrusive 
Citizen, carefully avoiding politics, giving his close 
attention to his extensive farming interests. 

Our subject was a youth of seventeen years when 
he went to Illinois, and lived with his married sis- 
ter, and later became a soldier in the Mexican War. 
After laying down the implements of warfare he 
look up those of agriculture, and with the excep- 
tion of three or four years spent in merchandising, 
has given his close attention to the tilling of the 
soil. The spring of 1877 found him negotiating 
for the laud which he now owns and occupies, and 
which he soon settled upon and began its improve- 
ment and cultivation. 

Our subject, while a resident of Illinois, was 
married, May 25, 1818, to Miss Mary A. C. II 



*•" 




=1 



4 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



101 it 



They began their wedded life in Jersey County, 
111., and of their union there have been born seven 
children, five of whom are living. The eldest, 
Robert S., married Miss Mary Robertson, of Texas, 
and is a practicing attorney of Sulphur Springs, 
Tex; he is the father of four children — Mary, 
Thu la, Juliet and Mattie. Juliet. Mrs. Edwin M. 
Atterberry, is a resident of Tecumseh, and the 
mother of a son — lames (i. James Gramham, 
Samuel K. and Richard B. continue at home with 
their parents. 

Mrs. Mary A. ( '. (Hill) Blythewas born in the 
city of Richmond, Va., July 20, 1825. She is the 
daughter of Robert L. and Marian (Tunstall) Hill, 
who after their marriage made their home in 
Kentucky and Illinois. The father died in Illi- 
nois. Aug. 19, 1863. The mother died in 1873. 
Mr. Hill was educated for the law, but becoming 
interested in other enterprises operated as an insur- 
ance agent at one time, anil while a resident of Jer- 
sey villi- was ( Jerk of the Circuit Court. He was 
the owner of a farm, but did not carry on agricult- 
ure himself. 

Mr. Blythe at one time was the owner of consid- 
erable land in Texas, and still retains eighty acres 
near the town of Cooper. He improved his time 
and opportunities SO well in his younger years, liv- 
ing so economically, and keeping a steady outlook 
for Ids declining years, that now when this period 
is upon him he is living mostly retired from active 
labor, and sitting under his own vine and tig tree, 
is simply in the enjoyment of that which he has 
so justly earned. His career is a fine illustral ion 
of the self-made man. who has pushed his own 
way upward in the world, ami is indebted to no One 
for his position and the line property of which he 
is the possessor. 



wv/vw^jiacrtj^g/K 



@£3»Ztot>~-v>/v- 



Tl-_ EZEKIAH B. STRONG, one of the promi- 

lll/)' mllt cal 'l v settlers of Nebraska, anil who 
J}^ probably arrived here before anyone in this 
v\£* locality now living, has for the last twenty- 
two years been a resident of Todd Creek Precinct, 
and is the owner of a valuable farm embracing I 85 
acres of highly cultivated land with commodious 



and substantial buildings. He atone time owned 
a much larger acreage, but has sold off consider- 
able. 

Our subject arrived on the soil of Nebraska the 
7th day of August, 1H")G, nearly eleven years 
before it was admitted into the Union as a 
State. He had made the journey overland front 
Wisconsin with teams and crossed the Missouri 
River on a flat-boat. He settled first m Richard- 
son County, near the present site of Falls City, but 
a year later changed 'his location to the present site 
of Nemaha City. There he purchased land, paying 
$1,600 for 1(10 acres, in Buchanan's Addition, tak- 
ing all he could secure. That land he improved, 
making two miles of fence the first year. He held 
the property five years, in the meantime erecting 
buildings, setting out twenty acres of forest trees 
and two or three acres of fruit. In company with 
his wife and daughters, he put up one of the finest 
barns then in the county. This farm is now owned 
by Thomas Kean, and lies three miles southwest of 
Nemaha. 

The neighbors of Mr. Strong at the time of his 
coming here were few anil far between, and Indians 
roamed over the country, but aside from stealing 
whatever they could lay their hands upon, they did 
not molest the settlers, who were thankful to get off 
thus easily. M r. Strong finally took up his residence 
on the Nemaha River, purchasings tract ot land in 
1865, where he began the building up Of a home- 
stead which he has disposed of. lie was the foun- 
der of the town of Butler's Mills, and operated the 
Brsl llouring-mill in that locality, grinding corn for 
people at Beatrice, and turned out the first bag of 
flour in the county. 

It will be seen that Mr. Strong was one of the 
leading men of this section of country, and it is 
quite natural that he should be one of the first ap- 
pointed Postmaster, which office he held for two 
years at Butler, and was succeeded by a Mr. ( ). M. 
Holmes. He was also the first Station Agent for 
the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, and as 
such was in the employ of that company a period 
of live years. In the meantime he steadily pro- 
ceeded with the improvement of his land, and in 
the fall of 1881 finished one of the finest residences 
in this part of the county. This is a large, two- 



-«>- c -*•« 



4 



*HI^ 



4- 



4i)2 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



story, frame structure, conveniently arranged, 
finely finished and handsomely furnished. The 
main barn corresponds entirely with the residence, 
and the sheds and cattle pens afford ample shelter 
fur stock. Air. Strong is largely interested in the 
breeding of road horses, and lias one of the finest 
Hamliletonian stallions in the State. He also has 
a three-year-old mare of the same breed, which is 
very valuable. His cattle are the Short-horns and 
his swine the Poland-China. The farm is enclosed 
with hedge fencing, and the fields which are not 
al present under cultivation are rich in good past- 
urage. About sixty acres of valuable timber add 
to the importance of the property, while the waste 
is utilized for fuel. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Onondaga 
County, X. Y., .Ian. :id, 1822, ami lived there with 
his father until a lad of thirteen .years. About 
1835, leaving the Empire State, he emigrated to 
Wisconsin, making the journey via the first lake 
steamer set afloat. A few years afterward our 
subject sold the first peaches and apples ever 
marketed on the streets in the State of Wisconsin. 
lie lived there about four years, then went East, 
and was united in marriage with .Miss Caroline 
Stocking, a native of his own county, and soon 
afterward returned with his bride to Milwaukee. 
Later they settled on the Whitewater River in Jeffer- 
son County, where Mr. Strong became owner of a 
valuable tract of land. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Strong there were born three 
children — Emma, Edward B. and Ella, all of whom 
are deceased. Ella married Peter Wright, and he- 
came the mother of three children, one of whom, a 
son, Carlton, is still living, and makes his home with 
his grandfather, attending school. Mrs. Caroline 
(Stocking) Strong was born Feb. 19, 1820, and was 
reared to womanhood in her native county, living 
there with her parents until her marriage. She re- 
ceived a common-school education and thatcareful 
home training which fitted her for her subsequent 
duties in life. 

Mr. Strong cast his first Presidential vote for J. 
K. Polk, being then a member of the Democratic 
party, butsoon after the organization of the Repub- 
licans, considered he had reason to change his 
views, and for the hist thirty-two years has been 



one of the warmest supporters of Republican prin- 
ciples. After the outbreak of the late Civil War, 
he enlisted in Company H, 8th Kansas Infantry, 
being mustered in in November, 18C2, and serving 
as a non-commissioned officer. He was at the bat- 
tles of Perryville, Crab Orchard, Murfreesboro, and 
various other engagements and skirmishes, and at 
the end of his term of enlistment received his hon- 
orable discharge in March, 1863. 

Ansel Strong, the father of our subject, was 
born in Connecticut, in about 1785, and upon 
reaching manhood was married to Miss Hannah 
Stocking. They removed to Onondaga County, N. 
Y.. where they spent the remainder of their days, 
the death of the father taking place about 1865, 
after he had reached the advanced age of eighty- 
seven years. The mother died about. 1826. The 
parental family consisted of five children. 



<* WORTHY LUCE, farmer and stock-raiser, 
\/tJ/' l' ves on section 36, Lincoln Precinct, where 
WW he owns a fine farm. He is a native of 
Onondaga County, N. Y., born Aug. 20, 1827, and 
is a son of Shubel and Lovina Luce, natives of 
Massachusetts. He lived in his native county until 
his twenty-first year, when he went to Waukesha 
County. Wis., and was there married to Mrs. Ann 
Phippin, widow of Thomas Phippin,of that county, 
and a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth Horn. 
She was born in England and came to America 
with her parents when about eight years of age, 
settling in Waukesha County, where her father and 
mother both died. 

Mr. and Mrs. Luce have two children: Luvina is 
the wife of Jarvis Smith, of Porter County, Ind., 
and George lives with his parents. By her first 
marriage Mrs. L. had two children, one of whom, 
Phoebe A., is now the wife of Thomas Goodman, of 
this county. During the War of the Rebellion our 
subject enlisted in Company F, 28th Wisconsin In- 
fantry, and served in the Army of the Southwest, 
part of the time under Gens. Pope and Prentiss. 
Their operations were largely in the State of Ar- 
kansas, where our subject with his company par- 
ticipated in the battles of Helena and Little Rock, 



**jK « » 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



-•fr- 
lii;; 



*- 



and in many other minor Bghts and skirmishes, 
serving until the close of the war. 

Returning to peaceful pursuits, Mr. Luce settled 
in Wisconsin until 1N74, when he came to Johnson 
County, buying 240 acres of land where lie now 
lives, and to which he lias added eighty acres ly- 
ing in Todd Creek Precinct. When he first bought 
there were no improvements of consequence upon 
his property, but by much hard labor and good 
management he has made it one of the best farms 
in the neighborhood. 

Our subject has always taken a warm interest in 
educational matters, and for a number of years has 
acted as Moderator in his school district. He is a 
Republican in politics, and a member of the G. A. 
K. Post at Tecumseh. A self-made man, Mr. Luce 
owes his success in life to untiring energy, indus- 
try and thrift. 



WILLIAM A. SOUDERS, a representative 
young farmer and stock-raiser of Helena 
Precinct, resides on section 16, range 11 
east, township 6 north, and is a native of Washing- 
ton County, Md., born April 9, 1853, a son of Jona- 
than Souders, of whom a sketch appears on another 
page. His mother died in his native Slate while he 
was a young hoy. and he went with his father to 
Knox County, 111., they subsequently removing to 
Johnson County, Neb., where his home has ever 
since been. He acquired his education in the dis- 
trict schools, and was married. April 15, 1880, to 
Miss Luelhi A. Miller, a native of Wisconsin, horn 
Feb. •"'. 1861, and a daughter of Setll and Margaret 
Miller, natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsyl- 
vania, and now residents of Smith County, Kan. In 
the winter of 1876 she came with her parents from 
Missouri to Nebraska, they removing to Kansas in 
1 88 1 . 

The union of our subject and his wife was blessed 
by the birth of three children, but death claimed 

the two eldest, anil only one is left to gladden their 
home. The two deceased were named Luella A. 
and Harry A., and the living child is named Hu- 
bert. Mr. Souders is the owner of eighty acres of 



*t= 



land, all under good cultivation, and is meeting 
with success in his chosen work, being a young 
man brimful of energy and perseverance. In poli- 
tics he acts with the Republican parly. 




[CHARD HARTWELL, a venerable citizen 
of Western Precinct, has been a resident of 

1 \'\ Johnson County since 1867, embracing a 
^)period of over twenty-one years. Soon 
after coining within its borders he honiesteaded 
Kid acres of land, which he still occupies. Upon 
the principle that a rolling stone gathers no moss, 
he has clung steadily to the one purpose of build- 
ing for himself a home in his declining years, and 
accumulating as much of this world's goods as a 
kindly Providence permitted. He is now approach- 
ing the sunset of life, being over eighty-seven years 
of age, having been born Nov. 15. 1801. He first 
opened his eyes to the light fifty-one miles from 
Toronto, in the Province of Upper Canada, and is 
the son of Kbene/.er Hart well, a native of Vermont. 
The latter took up his residence in 'he Dominion 
early in life, and thence emigrated to Ohio, Settling 
in what was then Huron but is now Erie County, in 
LSI 5. 

Our subject left his native place with his par- 
ents, and continued under the home roof until 

reaching his majority. Then making his way tu 
Prairie du Chien, Wis., he lived t here until 1 )eceni- 
ber, 1842, when he returned to Ohio. In December, 

L843, he was married in the latter State to Miss 
Eliza Iluitt. This lady was .a daughter of Collins 
Ilitift. Mr. and Mrs. llartwell's wedded life was 
blessed Ivy the birth of eight children, t hree of 

whom are deceased. The five surviving are Emeline, 
Richard, Susan. Oremill and Mary. < hie son, 
Hiram, enlisted during the late war. and met death 
on the battle-field of Winchester. Sept. Ill, 1864. 

Our subject and his family removed to this 
county in 1867, where Mr. llartwell battled to 
good advantage with the elements of a new soil. 

and as an honest man and a g I citizen made 

many friends. She who had been his companion 
for a period of thirty years passed away <>n the 22d 
of November, 1874. Mr. llartwell for several 



T 



- a «■ 



-•» 



404 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



f 



years has been afflicted with blindness, but lie has 
not permitted this to change his cheerful disposi- 
tion, or bis reliance upon an over-ruling Provi- 
dence, lie has been for a long period a member in 
good standing of the Free- Will Baptist Church. He 
cast his first Presidential vote for John (}. Adams 
in 1828, and voted for Harrison in 18HH. 

ftJOHN H. BAORKRG settled in the spring of 
1880 on his present farm of 1G0 acres, which 
occupies the southeast quarter of section 
IfiS^ 17, in Spring Creek Precinct. He is holding 
his own among the agriculturists and stock-raisers 
of the northeastern part of this county, and forms 
a worthy representative of the nationality which has 
home such an important part in the development 
of the Great West. 

Our subject first opened his eyes to the light in 
the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, where his birth 
took place Dec. 5, 1843. John G. and Stientye 
(Cordes) Badberg, his parents, were of pure Ger- 
man ancestry and natives of Hanover. The mother 
passed from earth when her son John H. was a little 
lad of seven years. His father was married the 
second time, and our subject lived with the latter 
and his stepmother until reaching man's estate. He 
received a thorough education in his native tongue 
and assisted his father on the farm in Hanover un- 
til 1872, when the family all emigrated to America, 
taking passage at Bremen on an ocean steamer, and 
landed in New York City after a safe voyage of 
twenty days. 

The Badbergs, soon after setting foot upon 
American soil, made their way directly westward 
across the Mississippi into Otoe County, this State, 
of which they were among the early settlers, and 
where the father took up a tract of wild land and 
continued farming as before, making their home in 
Otoe County. There his death took place in the 
spring of 1884. He was one of the leading German 
pioneers of Otoe County, a man of standing among 
his people, a Republican in politics, and a devout 
member of the Lutheran Church. The stepmother 
is still living in Otoe County. The household cir- 
cle by both marriages included, eleven children, 



"r^ 



eight of whom are living, namely: George, Henry, 
Mary, Herman, Harm, Maria, Schwantka_and John 
II., our subject. All but the. latter are residents of 
Otoe County. Mr. Badberg was a resident of Otoe 
Count}' about seven years, settling on his present 
farm in Johnson County about the spring of 1880. 
Here he has effected good improvements, and oc- 
cupies a worthy position among the self-made men 
around him. He was married, March 8, 1873, in 
Otoe County, to Miss Minnie Lohmiller, and they 
have become the parents of six children, namely : 
Anna B., Christina, Henry, John, Herman and Will- 
iam. Mr. and Mrs. Badberg are members in good 
standing of the Lutheran Church, and our subject, 
politically, like his father before him, is a stanch 
supporter of Republican principles. He has become 
thoroughly identified , with the interests of his 
adopted country, and keeps himself well posted 
upon passing events. 



<v?»^>- 



4^r 



<S£«S» 



/^ HRISTIAN BUEHLER, for the last eleven 
Jl ^ years a resident of Vesta Precinct, carries 
^^(' on farming industriously and profitably, and 
operates 200 acres of land on section 16. He is a 
thorough representative of the thrifty and indus- 
trious German citizen, who has labored independ- 
ently, built up for himself a comfortable home, and 
by his straightforward dealings with his fellowmen 
has gained their esteem and confidence. His early 
home was on the other side of the ocean, in the 
Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, where his birth 
took place June 19, I860. 

Matthew Buehler, the father of our subject, and 
who is now deceased, was a native of the same place 
as his son Christian, where he lived until 1868. He 
then crossed the Atlantic with his family, and in the 
spring of that year took up his residence in the vi- 
cinity of Sterling, Whiteside Co., 111. Five years 
later, in the spring of 1873, he crossed the Father of 
Waters and settled in Adams Precinct, Gage County, 
this State. There he labored singly until the spring 
of 1876, laying the foundation of a future home, 
and in March of that year, returning to Illinois, was 
married on the 23d of the month to Miss Mary, 
_ •» 



f 



+~-\^- 



■•^^"Hr-^^P 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



105 ' > 



daughter of John Kirgis, of Whiteside Count}*. 
The}- lived in Illinois until the fall of ! 877, then came 
to this county, and settled upon the land now oc- 
cupied hy our subject. Of this union there were 
born three children: Dora S., now living, and two 
deceased — Ida L. and Noah J. Mrs. Mary Buehler 
died at her home iu Vesta Precinct, Nov. 1 1, 1880. 
Her little daughter Ida followed the mother a week 
later, and Noah died April 30, 1882. 

Mr. Buebler on the 3d of October, 1881, con- 
tracted a second marriage, with Miss Mary, daugh- 
ter of John and Caroline Joekel, of Sterling, Neb. 
Of this marriage there were also born three children : 
William A.; Simon F., who died Dec. 1 1, 1886, and 
Carl A. The homestead includes 100 acres of good 
land, and Mr. Buehler has a twenty-five years lease 
on forty acres besides. He began from first prin- 
ciples in the development of his farm, building up 
a comfortable homestead from the wild prairie, and 
bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation. His 
buildings are kept in good repair, and his live stock 
indicates ample shelter and plenty of food. Mr. 
Buehler has planted shade trees around the dwell- 
ing, and has a fine orchard of apple trees. He has 
labored earl)' and late, as his surroundings indicate. 

Our subject, politically, rotes with the Republican 
party. He has no aspirations for office, preferring 
to give his time and attention to his farm and fam- 
ily. The German Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Salem numbers him as one of its most valuable 
members, and in which he has officiated as Class- 
Leader for the last eight years, holding besides the 
office of Steward. 

-SS^ 




*NDRKW M. WILLIAMSON, the pioneer 
dry -goods merchant of Crab Orchard, was 
born near Greenville, Muhlenberg Co., 
Ky., Oct. 6, 1843, and is the son of Eleazer 
T. and Amelia R. (Rice) Williamson, who were na- 
tives of Kentucky. The father is living near Earl- 
ville, Beadle Co., Dak., where they settled in 1884; 
the mother is now deceased. 

Our subject removed with his parents from the 
Blue Grass regions to Montgomery County, III., in 
1851, and there acquired his education, completing 

4> 



his studies in Hillsboro Academy. His business 
career was begun as clerk in a dry-goods and gro- 
cery store at Hillsboro, where he remained six 
years thus occupied, and had then exercised that 
frugality and forethought which enabled him to lay 
up a snug sum of money and purchase a half-inter- 
est in the business of his employer. They continued 
together five years longer, when young Williamson 
withdrew, disposing of his interests to his part- 
ner, and then going to Donelson iu the same county, 
established himself there in general merchandising, 
and remained until 1879. He then traded his stock 
of goods for a farm, which he leased, and accepted 
a position as salesman for the firm of Day & Up- 
stone, of Nokomis, with whom he remained two and 
one-half years. In the spring of 1 883, crossing the 
Mississippi, he established himself at Crab Orchard 
in his present business, at a time when there was in 
this place only a small grocery and a hardware 
store, started a short time previously. From the 
modest enterprise of Mr. Williamson has grown up 
a business commanding a capital of between $5,000 
and $6,000, from which is transacted $15,000 worth 
of business. Mr. Williamson is able to duplicate 
any bill of goods in his line sold in the cities of Bea- 
trice or Tecumseh. Buying for cash, he is enabled 
to obtain a liberal discount, and in connection with 
his credit system uses the D. (). Lantz Credit Cou- 
pon check book, which is claimed to be the best iu 
the world. He carries a full line of merchandise, 
including dry-goods, boots and shoes, hats, caps, 
notions, millinery, gentlemen's furnishing goods, 
crockery, etc., in fact everything required on the 
farm or in the village household. He has been a 
familiar figure among the people of this region for 
many years, and his straightforward methods of do- 
ing business have secured their confidence and es- 
teem. 

Miss Isabel II. Kerr, a native of Fayette County. 
Ohio, became the wife of our subject on the 1st of 
February, 1872, the wedding being celebrated at 
the home of the bride in Montgomery County. III., 
near Hillsboro. Mrs. Williamson was born Nov. 
20, 1840, and is the daughter of Robert and Jane 
(Kerr) Ken 1 , who were natives of Ohio and Penn- 
sylvania, and are now both deceased. Of this union 
there have been no children. Mr. Williamson dnr- 




♦ 



-*•- 




.M11\m>N COl STY. 




ing !. - _ - ..filiated with the Democratic 

- w.-irm interest in the - -- f the 

temperance movement led him. in 1 883, to identify 

himself ■ Prohibitionists, ami be is i 

leading member of this party in Johnson County. 

He - been ambitious for office, although 

baring served - , illor. and occupying other 

- ind responsibility in this com in u- 

Eteligi) - i he au<i - i ellent wife 

are members in § I si ling ( the Presbyterian 

Church, to which they g rdial and generous 

sapport. Tl»eir handsome and comfortable home 

II - id during the 

their residence here they have gathered about 
manv warm frier. - 



} 11.1. 1 AM L KING. Upon section IS 

Todd - :" the best 

farms iu the - rty of our 

suhy ". - - 3 of I ghly im- 

luctive farming land. This 

lias been owned by him s 

.in two wi ks ' Lis comii _ 
the State. N - ;at has l>een doue 

in the improvements - His prop- 

Iged in a very perfect manner, and it is 
and trimmed, presenting a fine a, 

- rving the design and pur- 
ser impr. - - - _ hard, 
all found their place with our subject, 
and arc a ere." to his a 
_ nee. 

raisi: _ k. dealing chiefly in high-gr:. 

h. .rns. thoroughbred hogs of the Poland-China va- 

and draft horses and i 
Iu this connection he isqaite widely and favorably 
is a business :aan is marked 
as being of the most honorable d - 
and 1. - good. 

The birth of our subject took place on the i 
_ • - r il. in Wilson Township. Niagara Co., 
N. Y . and he made his home there until he was 
about sixteen yea.-- . lb bis pa i 

.id remained with 



them until attaining his majority. His education, 
which was obtained in the common schools, was 
practical aud thorough so far as it went, and em- 
ed the usual subject of instruction. Schooling 
finished, his energies were directed to husbandry 
and the care of stock, which he has continued al- 
- without intermission up to the present time, 

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage 
with Mi>- lK!c ; . K. I'aylor. of Kewanee. 111., on 
the 1 4th of October, 1 874. 1 heir union lias been 
by the birth of four children, all of 
whom are living. The subjoined are the nanus 
borne by them : Lewis. Clara. Clarence and May. 
Mrs. King was born in Knox County. 111., on the 
:' Hay, 1855. Sie was educated in the com- 
mon schools of the county, and is — ssed of 
much innate refinement, which, with her happy dis- 
position, makes her eminently fitted for domestic 
or social life. 

The father of Mrs. Kn.ii. A. A. Taj lor. was burn 

N York. While but a young man he went to 
Pennsylvania, thence to Michigan, and finally to 
Illinois. He is now a resident of Nebraska. The 
maiden name of bis - - san Hurlburt. They 

became the parents of seven children, six of whom 
- 

ace Kiug. the father of our subject, was born 
in Columbia County. N. Y.. and as a young man 
moved to Niagara County in order to take a farm 
and l>egin life for himself. He married Miss IV- 
Burton, in Columbia County. N. Y.. by whom 
he became the father of five children, of whom 
three are living. By an unusual coincidence all 
three - - • e farms in this county. 

and ai g .'.-to-do citizens. In 1866 

Mr. K 2 ■ i to Henry County, and there made 

his home until he came hither. His death occurred 
on Uie 16lh of Sej -" - ri low still 

survives. He was a member of the I 
Church. 

The - f our sketch has won and retained 

the 1:-. yes community. He has been 

called upon to fill » - - iiool offices, and that 

-. ; - r. He is not prominent as a 
|>olitician, but is always careful to exercise his 
right of franchise. _ with the Republican 

party. Both he and his wife are in communion with 



* 



, 



♦ 



t 



- 



BajAist Church, aad take inucb in- 
terest m matters connected therewith. Is that 
aad every other c ey are bigbly 

respectci by nil who know them. 



.- - 



ha 



Er.li'l HJ 
e had and made it their Lome. Be 
- ■• - •---' :•■.•• ' I. K-- ■..:..-: _• 

and property being situated on section . 
skip 3 If fa«L He is a nat i 

*nd was l>orn on the 21st of June. 
- the am of Mark aad Doretha Haoberg. He 
■ 1 education ia hie native land, whkb 
- :...:.• •* - 
je. 
J. _• : .'- • ■_■ : :; ■ ■ '■'■_' 

iced ia a sailing- vessel, which, 

Froai there L- 

d County. 111., aod for some aiae rears 
month . being f ragal aad caref al ia the 
meanwhile, so that ke was thee enabled to nnnfcim 
a farm ia tkat county, wkiek ke continued to oper- 
ate in hi? ars. 

Mr. Hanberg «ra* 
_ 

■ ears later, accompanied by bis 
te, and coming to 
." . .- :. < '*;•-; ' '-" - ' • "•- ' I- ' .: 

at Once started with all tke e n ergy ke could sum- 
mon to bring about a better coud ition of **>i»gy 

ke kas made it one of the best farms ia the district. 
Whatever has been done by any of success ii 
has been the re- .: baj own earner" idea, 

since bis marriage, kas always been supplemented 
ful aad deroted v 
Mr. and Mrs. Hauberg are members of the Ger- 
::.■:. L ■■•;.-''.• _ .:..'. - • ■ _-. . ■ . . ■ 
mack esteemed, as they are also ia every other. 
t kas serred one term as Road Snper- 
besides holding other offices. Ia politics ke 



and am t 



is thoroaghly Democratic. 
mtndit fte bmltt ' 1 - . ••«i>_- 
large circle of appreciative friends 
anoes. He has always taken 

pertains to the advaaeeaaeat of the interest* of the 

eMUjty. Hit sterling character and uprigbtaaw* are 
manifested in every engagement of fife, and by no 

• - ' •■_- -■.;! - i •. . • ■ 1 ■ '. ■ ■ 

j k-L ke is a resident. 



>e fined farms in 

net is the property of the 

subject of this sketch, and comprises *W 

acres of val uabk mad, all in one body, the 

in the precinct. The family residence is sar- 

.. • . ■ v ■ ,-y ■■■•■:• ':_-•-. v • -.••—•. 

and shrubbery. It ' rius a most attractive home. 
iadieatiag oa aO sides thrift, industry aad eulti- 

Mr. r. •ossession of a part of the land 

wkiek ke now owns in the spri- _ 

acres had been broken, the Inhere being a 
wild prairie, destitute of fences or building- 
has been brought to its present position sole.; 
the exercise of untiring indnstry aad a wise outlay 

- 
tifal hedge fencing, and the whole is kept neatly 
trimmed, presenting a compact line of green < x- 
;•••■; _ ■•' : ; ~\ t ::'--:■■■.■- - 

for the protection of the fields aad whatever lies 
within them. The residence was completed ia the 
spriii . model farm house ia < 

- 
' • : - 

Mr. Epky ia addition to the cultivation of the 

- : hts ago t wen ty acres to forest trees. 

and has fire or six acres in a fine appk orchard which 

- r - l : "■: :.v f .;':-. ; - ■ - ' -..••- 



t 



408 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



trees, hesides grape vines and plants which yield 
the other luscious fruits in their season. In addi- 
tion to general farming our subject is fond of fine 
stock and is one of the leaders in this industry in 
Johnson County. He keeps usually a herd of 100 to 
140 cattle, together with a. number of valuable draft 
horses and a large number of swine. For the keep- 
ing of these he raises annually quantities of corn 
and grain, devoting to these purposes nearly 200 
acres of ground. Years ago his corn and grain 
crop comprised about 400 acres annually. Later 
he gave more space to grass and less to corn. 

A man of more than ordinary ability, Mr. Epley 
has naturally occupied a prominent position among 
his townsmen, as one whose judgment it is safe to 
follow and to whose opinions experience has given 
value. He has never been ambitious for office but 
willing to serve his precinct in whatever capacity 
he can be useful. He cast his first Presidential 
vote for James Buchanan, and since that day has 
trained with the good old Democratic party. In 
his district he has been a member of the School 
Hoard almost since its organization, and there are 
few enterprises in his neighborhood in which he 
has not been a leading spirit. 

John Epley was born in Adams County, Pa., 
Fell. 23, 1836, and lived there until a man of thirty 
years. He received a practical education in his 
youth and was at an early age trained to habits of 
industry and economy, which have proved the secret 
of his later success. He has all his life been en- 
gaged in farm pursuits. Upon reaching manhood 
he was married to a maiden of his own county, 
Feb. 10, 1859. Of this union there were born 
seven children, all of whom are living and at home 
with their parents. They are named respectively: 
Harriet Elizabeth, Charles Meade, George Frank- 
lin, Emma J., William Edward, Harvey D. and 
Amanda C. They are being trained and educated 
in a manner befitting their station and circum- 
stances in life. 

Mr. and Mrs. Epley continued residents of their 
native State after their marriage until 18C6, making 
their home in Adams Count}', Pa. There their 
three eldest children were born. In the fall of the 
year mentioned they moved to Knox County, 111., 
r where our subject operated his own farm until 1874. 



Then selling out again he followed the example of 
many of the people of that county and cast his lot 
with the pioneers of Nebraska. He first rented 
land in this county, and in 1875 purchased 160 acres 
now occupied by the homestead buildings. Sub- 
sequently he purchased 240 acres more, thus be- 
coming one of the largest land-holders in the 
precinct. He commenced with a very small amount 
<>f capital, but by industry and good management 
soon found himself on the high road to prosperity. 

Mrs. Sophia J. (Culp) Epley was born in Adams 
County, Pa., May 26, 1839, near the historical bat- 
tle-ground of Gettysburg and in the vicinity of 
Culp Hill, which was then owned by her cousin, 
Henry Culp, who, if living, probably holds it to this 
day. Mrs. E. lived there with her parents until her 
marriage. The latter were George and Elizabeth 
(Ritter) Culp, and the father was also born in Get- 
tysburg in 1800, there also spending his entire life. 
He was a wheelwright by trade and also carried on 
fanning. His death occurred at the old homestead 
about September, 1874. The wife and mother is 
still living, having attained in August. 1888, the 
ripe old age of eighty-five years. Both parents 
wire members of the Lutheran Church. 

George Epley, the father of our subject, was born 
in York County, Pa., Nov. 8, 1810. He moved 
to Adams County with his parents when a child. 
In the latter he received his education, and upon 
reaching manhood was married. Sept. 8, 1833, to 
Miss Harriet Wentz. Their union resulted in the 
birth of ten children, who with one exception lived 
to mature years, and that one, a girl, died when 
twelve years old. The father carried on farming 
successfully in Adams County, where he was a 
prominent member of the community, and with 
.his estimable wife a member in good standing in 
the Lutheran Church. About 1866 he removed 
from Pennsylvania to Knox County, III., w,here he 
spent his last days, his death taking place March 11, 
1886. His wife, the mother of Mr. Epley, is still 
living, and makes her home with our subject. 

Mrs. Harriet (Wentz)*Epley was born in Adams 
County, Pa. Jan. 17, 1813, and is the daughter of 
John and Elizabeth (Sheely) Wentz, the former a 
weaver by trade, who followed this and farming 
combined. He spent his last years in Adams 



T — 



•*•- 



-•*" 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



109 



County, Pa., dying about 1870 at the :iije of eighty- 
four years. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Sheely) 
Wentz, passed from earth when her daughter Har- 
riet was 1 hi t ten years old. 

Henry Epley, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was also a native of York County, Pa., 
where he lived until middle-aged, then removed 
to Adams County, where his death took place about 
184'J, when he was probably sixty-three years 



old. 



-^^^i^^f^^^- 




AVID S. WARNER. The farm of this 
gentleman is situated on section 22 of 
Nemaha l'recinel, and comprises 160 acres. 

His reputation as a stork-raiser is quite 
extensive and exceedingly favorable, if not flatter- 
ing, seeing that he is among the most enterprising, 
practical, and therefore successful, of those similarly 
engaged in the district. Mr. Warner was born in 
.Madison County. Ohio, Sept. 22, L846. When six 
years of age his parents moved to Jasper County, 
Iowa, and in that county he was reared to manhood. 
Iii its schools he obtained a good education, which, 
if not collegiate in scope, was practical and thor- 
ough. 

Mr. Warner was united in marriage, on the 7th 
of March, 1867, with Miss Mary E. Timmons. This 
lady, like himself, is a native of the Buckeye State, 
and the estimable daughter of Thomas W. Tim- 
mons. one of Ohio's prominent citizens and pros- 
perous farmers. About the time of his marriage 
our subject purchased a farm in Iowa, continuing 
to operate the same until August, 1870, when he 
turned his face toward Nebraska, and started to 
come to this place. He, of course, traveled by the 
aid of his team, and arrived without any particular 
adventurous incidents of special note, on the 8th 
of September. 1870. Since that time he hasalways 
resided here. 

Almost the first thing to be done after seeing his 
family comfortably provided for was for our sub- 
ject to select a location. The result of this investi- 
gation was the purchase, at the rate of $7.50 per 
acre of his present farm. It was all unimproved 
prairie land, but was ready for the plow, and the 
experience for five years in a more Eastern State. 
•*• . 



where the giants of the forest had first to lie evic- 
ted, was here spared him. All the improvements 

that may be seen to-day are the result of his earn- 
est endeavor. His house is substantially built, and 
is to him and his family a true home. It was 
erected in 1871). The octagon barn, built in 1883, 
he finds exceedingly convenient for his purpose, 
and has built it to stay. The grove not far from 
the house covers an extent of ten acres, and con- 
tains only thrift}' growing and well -developed trees. 
His orchard is worthy of favorable remark, al- 
though, perhaps, nut SO extensive as some others in 
the county; the trees are well Selected, of good 
variety and excellent bearers. Small fruits are to 
be had in abundance in season, and of almost end- 
less variety. The farm, as a whole, is highly culti- 
vated, well fenced and in excellent condition. 

Reference was made above to the stock-raising 
interests of Mr. Warner. He keeps about fifty head 
of pure thoroughbred Short-horns, and this he 
makes a specialty. He is the owner of some very 
tine cattle, and usually receives the first premium 
at any fair to which he may take his stock. Among 
the beautiful creatures, worthy, perhaps, of spe- 
cial mention, is the well-known bull Oxford Wiley, 
whose registered number is 76.720. Among the 
different varieties of stock are the Rosamonds. 
Princesses, Pansys and Victorias. 

Mathew Warner, the father of our subject, was 
born in the Empire State, in July, 1822, removing 
with his father when fourteen years of age to 
Ohio, where he made his home until 1852. At 
that time lie emigrated to Iowa, where he still lives. 
He is a large dairy farmer, and in that line very 
prosperous. He is a man much respected in the 
community, and has frequently been called upon to 
fill various local offices. The maiden name of his 
wife was Margaret McMilcn. This lady was a na- 
tive of Ohio. They became the parents of six chil- 
dren, of whom four attained to mature years. Of 
these the subject of our sketch was the eldest. The 
wife and mother died when our subject was twelve 
years of age. Later Mi'. Warner. Sr.. contracted a 
second alliance, lie is a devout member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and much esteemed 
in that communion. 

The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Warner, 



^►C 



i 410 



■*• 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



4- 



whs bom iii Chenango County. N. Y.; :is noted 
above be removed to the statu of Ohio about the 
year L 83 6, and was numbered among the pioneers 
of the State. He went to work and hewed out for 
himself a farm from the primeval forest, erecting 
his cabin from thelogs that fell beneath the power- 
ful strokes of his ax. The whole of his life at that 
period was upon the same line, and was tilled with 
the various pleasures, adventures, difficulties and 
hardships of pioneerdom. Here he resided until 
his death, which occurred ahout 1877, when he was 
about eighty-six years of age. 

The subject of this writing has seemed the re- 
spect and esteem of the community, to which they 
gave expression by electing him to act as School 
Treasurer, and later as County Commissioner, the 
duties of these responsible offices being performed 
in a most satisfactory manner. lie is a true and 
loyal citizen, both worthy and capable. 

f.Sf, SI 
■*-5*- n ' S * " * "* — ■ ■ 




NC1L B. BALL, editor and proprietor of 
the Tecumseh Republican, came to this 
town in the spring of 1884, and established 
the journal whose politics are already in- 
dicated, and which has become one of the indis- 
pensable institutions of Johnson County. He has 
ably advocated the principles of his party, and lias 
continuously urged it to take an advanced position 
upon all new questions which spring up for the 
voters of the State and county to decide. Many 
months before the Republican National Convention 
of 1888 met at Chicago to nominate a candidate 
for President, Mr. Ball hoisted a Ben Harrison 
tlag at the top of the editorial column of his paper, 
believing from his personal knowledge of the man, 
that, of all the candidates under discussion, Mr. 
Harrison was the best and most available. His 
able articles, published iii support of his favorite 
candidate, were largely copied in many of the in- 
fluential journals of other States, and there is no 
doubt had much to do in calling the attention of 
the Republican press to Mr. Harrison, as Mr. Ball's 
was the first paper outside of Indiana to come out 
positively for the grandson of Old Tippecanoe. 
The subject of this sketch was born in Randolph 



County, Ind., Sept. 9, 1835, and about two years 
later his father, Judge John Ball, and family re- 
moved to Kosciusko County, that State, settling in 
a log cabin, in the midst of a timber tract. For 
several years thereafter the Pottawatomie and Miami 
Indians made that portion of the State their hunt- 
ing-grounds, and their chiefs, Bennack and Peash- 
away, became fast friends of John Ball and his 
family. Upon one occasion at least they saved 
their lives from the violence of a hostile tribe. 

The early education of Mr. Bail began in that 
humble dwelling in the woods, with his mother for 
his teacher, and at evening the blazing hearthstone 
fire his candle light. Later on the log school-house 
was erected, where he attended in the winter sea- 
son, working on the farm during the summer and 
fall. In the fall of 1856 he became a student of 
Ft. Wayne Methodist Episcopal College, from 
which he was graduated with honors, then, returning 
home, his father having died, resumed his labors on 
the old farm during the seasons of sowing and 
reaping, and employed his winters as a teacher. 

In the spring of 1864 Mr. Ball repaired to War- 
saw, Ind., where he was engaged in the dry-goods 
trade until the fall of 1870. In the meantime, as 
a man well posted in politics and possessed of a 
large fund of general information, he was esteemed 
competent to look after the interests of the people 
in an official capacity, and was accordingly nomi- 
nated and elected by the Republicans Auditor of 
Kosciusko County. So satisfactorily did he acquit 
himself in discharging the duties of his position 
that at the expiration of his first term he was re- 
nominated by acclamation, and re-elected to a sec- 
ond term by a majority almost double that of the 
former. 

In the spring of 1883 Mr. Ball, having suffered 
greatly from ill-health, decided upon a change of 
climate, and spent a year thereafter in the city of 
Denver. Thence, in the spring of 1884, he came 
to Nebraska, and soon afterward established the 
Republican, which has now not only obtained a 
foothold financially, but in all other respects among 
the people of this part of the State. Mr. Ball has 
been a prominent member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church since a young man of twenty years, 
and has taken an active interest in Sunday-school 




-•*• 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Ill 



work. He has been called upon to fill some of the 
most responsible positions in connection with this 
work, both in the States of Indiana, and Nebraska. 
lie identified himself with the Masonic fraternity 
thirty years ago, is a Good Templar of twenty-nine 
years' standing, anil an Odd Fellow of twenty-four 
years. A man of decided views, and fearless in 
the expression of his sentiments, he is fortunately 

possessed of the g 1 judgment to know when to 

speak and when to keep silent. 



-*fe- 



-5— 



J~~j AMES A. CARMAN, one of the younger 
members of the farming community of 
I Spring Creek Precinct, is successfully operat- 
' ing on 100 acres of good land, comprising a 
portion of section 30. lie is the son of Hon. A. 
A. Carman, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in 
this volume, and was born in Cass County, III., Jan. 
1, 18C3. 

When a little lad two and a half years of age 
our subject was brought to this county by his par- 
ents, and was reared to manhood in Spring Creek 
Precinct, acquiring his education in the common 
school, and becoming familiar with farm life as it 
was carried on in the pioneer days. He grew up 
industrious and energetic, choosing agriculture for 
his occupation in life, and when ready to establish 
a home of his own, was married, Feb. 23, 1885, to 
Miss Annie McKenzie, the wedding being cele- 
brated at Tecnmseh, Johnson County. 

Mrs. Carman was born in Hancock County. 111., 
ami is the daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Pike) 
McKenzie, who were natives of Scotland and Ken- 
tucky. The mother is deceased, and the father is 
still living in Hancock County, III. The McKen- 
zie family is of Scotch ancestry, and were earl}' set- 
tlers of Kentucky, where the parents of Joseph 
McKenzie settled, probably after their emigration 
from Scotland. Mr. McK. has been twice married, 
his first wife being the mother of Mrs. Carman. 
Of his two marriages there were born eight chil- 
dren, namely: Thomas, now a resident of Califor- 
nia; Annie, the* wife of our subject; Amanda, Mrs. 
L. Martin, of McDoilOUgh County. III.; William, a 
resident of Adams County, ill.; Ellen, the wife-of 



Charles Underbill, of Mil) High County; John, 

of California; Henrietta and Frederick, the two 
latter being the children of the second wife, with 
whom Mr. McK. is still living in Hancock County. 
He is now nearly sixty years of age, a man of 
Sterling worth and greatly respected by his com- 
munity. He has for manj' years been a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as Class- 
Leader, and laboring as he has had opportunity in 
the Master's vineyard. 

To. Mr. and Mrs. Carman there has been born 
one child, a daughter, Carrie, Jan. 23, 1 8.SG. Mr. 
C. is a stanch Republican, politically', and with his 
estimable wife occupies a good social position, 
being, like his honored father, a useful and in- 
telligent member of his community, encouraging 
those projects tending to elevate society and serve 
the best interests of the people. 




'Sj^fcERNARD M. PAYNE. The subject of this 
\iJc sketch has been a prominent factor in the 
building interests of Teeuniseh for a long 
fJ period, although for the last seven or eigbl 
years he has lived mostly retired from active busi- 
ness. A native of Morris County. X. J., he was 
born Sep!. 2 1. 1818, anil when a young child was 
taken by his parents to Long Island. His father 
lived but a few years afterward, his decease taking 
place when his son Bernard was a lad of seven or 
eight years. 

After the death of her husband, the mother of 
our subject removed to Bloomingdale, N. J., to the 
home of her father, where Bernard spent his boy- 
1 (1 days, and acquired his education in the com- 
mon schools. He then began an apprenticeship at 
the mason's trade in Newark, N. J., where he 
worked for a period of fourteen years. The family 
then migrated to Ogle County, 111., where Bernard 
M. followed his trade and became owner of a tract 
of land, upon which he lived and the operations of 
which be superintended, although not working up- 
on it himself. At the same time lie was largely 
interested in stock-raising. From Illinois he made 
his way across the Mississippi and locating in this 
county, still following farming and working at his 



•► i r^ 



-•*- 



412 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



trade as before. Gradually lie developed into a con- 
tractor, and his superior workmanship was always 
the source of a good income. 

The year 1871 saw our subject established in the 
vicinity of Tecumseh, he having purchased land in 
Maple Grove Precinct. From this he built up a 
fine farm, and later invested in city property. He 
removed from the farm to his town residence in 
1877. Besides the work he has done for others he 
has put up eight dwelling-houses in Tecumseh for 
himself, one of which he occupies and the others he 
rents. Many of the best brick blocks in the city 
bear witness to his taste and skill, and will stand 
for years to come as monuments to his enterprise 
and industry, lie is now in the enjoyment of a 
competency, and sitting under his own vine and 
fig tree, can look back upon a well-spent life. 

Mr. Payne has traveled considerably over this 
continent, from New Jersey to Florida and Texas, 
also taking in California,. From the Pacific Slope he 
returned by the Union Pacific route to Denver, 
Colo., taking ample time to view the grandscenery 
of the Rocky Mountains. Socially, he is a genial 
and companionable man, one with whom it is both 
pleasurable and profitable to converse, lie has 
made good use of his time and opportunities, and 
in his extended travels gained a fund of informa- 
tion which he is able to impart in an amusing and 
instructive manner. 

Our subject has always been an ardent supporter 

of Dei 'ratio principles. His fine natural abilities 

would many a time have secured an office could he 
have been prevailed upon to accept. In religious mat- 
ters his beliefs incline to Methodist doctrines, al- 
though he is liberal-minded, and gives his support 
to other denominations, believing that in all there 
is good, and that- which will advance the moral 
welfare of the community. He is spoken of as a 
man whose honesty and integrity are unimpeach- 
able. His influence upon the community around him 
has been of that character which is a blessing to 
an}- city. 

The marriage of Bernard M. Payne and Miss 
Albia A. May berry, of Blairstown, N. J., was cele- 
brated at the home of the bride, and of their con- 
genial union there have been born four children, 
three of whom are living — Josephine, Mary and 



Carrie. Mrs. Payne was born at Huntsville, N. J. 
Her mother lived but a short time afterward, and she 
was taken into the home of an uncle, in whose family 
she remained for some years. Her father having 
married a second time, she was taken to his home, 
and there she lived until her removal to Newark, 
N. J. At that place she boarded with the mother 
of Mr. Payne, and thus began the acquaintance 
which ripened into a mutual affection and finally 
marriage. In the meantime she had resided in the 
city of Brooklyn a number of years. The peaceful 
and happy home of our subject, however, was in- 
vaded by the fell destroyer, Mrs. Payne passing 
away in Tecumseh, in November, 1880. she was a 
lad}' possessing all the Christian virtues, a devoted 
member of the Presbyterian Church, a good wife 
and a kind mother. In early life she had developed 
a taste for literature and was a writer of consider- 
able merit, of poetry mostly. At the time of the 
completion of the tine residence now occupied by 
our subject, Mrs. Payne was very ill and known to 
be beyond recovery, but she desired to move into 
the dwelling in which she had anticipated spending 
many happy years. Her death took place one week 
later. 

Miss Josephine, the eldest daughter of our sub- 
ject, is the wife of Wilson Peterson, of Maple Grove 
Precinct, this county. Mary is the wife of A. M. 
Appelget, a prominent attorney of Tecumseh, and 
a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this Album; 
they have three children. Carrie, Mrs. A. Can- 
field, is the wife of one of the leading dealers in 
agricultural implements in Tecumseh, and the 
mother of one child, named Bernard, after its 
paternal grandfather. 

.Tames Payne, the father of our subject, was born 
in Connecticut, whence he removed first to New 
Jersey and then to Long Island. He was a hatter 
by trade, but dying when his son Bernard M. was 
a lad, the latter has scarcely any recollection of 
him. The mother was in her girlhood Miss Cather- 
ine Sandford. of IMoomingdale, N. J. The household 
circle included four' children, one of whom died 
when young. The three surviving are Bernard M., 
our subject; Alford .lames, of Newark, N. .1., and 
John S., also of that city. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject was John 



•►Ht^ 



■*•- 



■•*■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



-i 1 3 



Sandford, of Bloom ingdale, N. J, and who married 

.Miss Catherine Debough. He died when e para- 

tively ci young man, leaving his widow with several 
small children. Subsequently Mrs. S. moved to 
Blbomingdale, and afterward made her home also 
in Paterson and Newark, remaining a widow until 
the time of her death, which took place in about 
IM7."). John Sandford was a native of Connecticut, 
and when a youth of sixteen years entered the 
Revolutionary Army, in which he served seven 
years, seven months and fifteen days. After his 
marriage lie followed farming upon land given him 
by the father of his wife, and there made his home 
until his death, which occurred after he had 
reached the advanced aye of ninety-six years. lie 
was the father of a family of ten children, all of 
whom lived to mature years. The youngest son 
when twenty-one years old entered into a foot race 
with his father, in which the latter came out first 
best. The mother of our subject was a very excel- 
lent woman. and a devoted member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Churcb for many years. 

-^ ^4y v~ 



•►*♦ 



i'P^jIIOMAS II. BROOKS, the courteous and 
i/'/Sfv, popular station agent at Tecumseh for the 
*$Sz? Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, cer- 
tainly needs no introduction to the reader. His 
father, Allen D. Brooks, was born in Alleghany 
County, Md., mi the 17th of March, 1807. There 
also he received part of his education, finishing it 
at Cumberland, whence he removed to Alexan- 
dria. Va., and engaged in mercantile pursuits. Sub- 
sequently he bought land in Preston County, now 
in West Virginia, and commenced farming and 
Stock-raising, the latter receiving perhaps the major 
part of his attention. He afterward removed to 
Fairmont. Marion County, in the same State, and 
again entered mercantile life, in connection with 
which, however, he continued farming upon land 
situated in the vicinity of his business. He re- 
mained in Fairmont only two years, and from there 
went to Mannington, where from 1K.j2 to 1868 he 
continued employed in a similar direction. 

In the latter year Mr. Brooks sold out and re- 
moved to Nemaha County, in this State, where he 



owned a section of land upon which he took up 
his residence. He was also the owner of three-quar- 
ters of a section of land in Johnson County. At the 
time of his purchase it was entirely unimproved, 
hut he brought it to a very high state of cultiva- 
tion. He erected a very comfortable residence. 
and continued to make it his home until 187G, 
when he sold it and removed to Tecumseh, when' 

lie lived a retired life until his death, whicl - 

curred in 1885. He was a prominent man in the 
community, and was frequently offered hut as often 
refused political honors. He was a strict and stead- 
fast member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
but even in this connection lie refused all official 
honors. 

Previous to her marriage Mrs. Allen D. Brooks 
bore the name Rachael Michael. She was a native 
of Preston County, Va. There have been horn to 
them nine children, of whom six grew to maturity. 
The father of Mrs. Brooks was Thomas Michael, 
who was horn in the year 1 SI 9, in the same county. 
His daughter continued to reside with her parents 
until her marriage, which was most happy, and ex- 
tended over a period of forty-five years, and which 
terminated in her death at Tecumseh, in lS"iV>. Her 
father was by occupation a farmer, and as such bore 
his full share of the lips and downs in life incidental 
thereto. His wife was a .Miss Brain, who pre- 
sented her husband with six children. She lived 
to see her family growing up and preparing to take 
their places in the world, and died in the year 1858, 
having survived her husband three years. Both 
were ardent members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and active workers in the cause. 

The father of Mrs. Thomas Michael was captured 
when a little fellow by the Indians, who at the 
same lime massacred his brother and sisters before 
his eyes. His father and mother were both away, 
and for the lime escaped, hut later his father also 
>vas killed. The lad lived among the Indians for 
quite a long time, and was brought up by them, 
and so much were the habits and customs of these 
earlier years ingrafted into his very being that be 
retained many Indian ways, manners and customs 
throughout his life. The scene connected with the 
murder of his brother and Bisters was deeply graven 
upon his memory, and was entirely ineffaceable. 



°f 



-*•- 



41 1 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



^H* 



~f 



He afterward settled in Preston County, and be- 
came a prominent and much valued citizen. We 
would refer the reader desirous of further informa- 
tion and a more complete history of the family to 
the history of Maryland, where such information 
will be found, although the name may possibly be 
mis-spelled and entered as Bran, instead of Brain, 
which is correct. 

Thomas Brooks, M. D., the paternal grandfather 
of our subject, was a native of Alleghany County, 
Md. He was born, brought up and educated in the 
city of Baltimore, where he became a physician, 
and practiced the healing art, as he did also in 
Frederick. Md. Subsequently he removed to a 
point in the Alleghany Mountains, where he con- 
tinued to practice for a long period, and in his later 
days went to Morganton, where he continued the 
practice of his profession until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1855. Upon settling in life he married 
Miss Cardington, who became the mother of five 
children. She died in the year 1809, leaving a 
large family. Among these was Allen D., the father 
of our subject. Dr. Brooks again married, and was 
enabled to keep his home together, and thus the 
better fulfill his desires regarding his little ones. 
He was appointed a surgeon in the War of 1812, 
and being a very able man, enjoyed quite a reputa- 
tion. He and his family were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and as such were 
faithful and much esteemed. Capt. John Smith, of 
Revolutionary War fame, with his wife, occupied 
the position of godfather and godmother to Thomas 
Brooks, when he was in early life baptized into the 
Church of England. After attaining to man's es- 
tate, he, however, left the Episcopal for the Meth- 
odist Church. 

Thomas H. Brooks, the subject of our sketch, was 
born in Preston County, W. V., on the 8th of Au- 
gust, 1844. When but a youth he removed, with 
the family to Marion County, where he received his 
education, which was thorough and practical, ac- 
cording to the ideas of the time. After leaving 
school he became a telegraph operator as early as 
1859, when the old paper instruments were used. 
While still young he was given the responsible 
office at the railroad station at Mannington, after 
which he went to Cranberry Summit, on the Balti- 
4* 



more & Ohio Railroad. He was at Mannington in 
1861, when the bridges east of that place were 
burned, after which he stood for many nights as 
guard over the railroad bridges west of that town, 
until he was relieved by the soldiery. 

After this Mr. Brooks volunteered to go into the 
service as a private, but was rejected on account of 
his age, and was advised by the inspecting officer to 
follow his own occupation. He worked at various 
points in Ohio and Illinois, for different railroad and 
commercial companies, until 1863, when he engaged 
in the Government service. He was now employed 
reporting to the Government Superintendent of 
Telegraph at Louisville, Ivy., and was placed with 
a cavalry scout for service in the direction of the 
Columbia River, in that State. Here they re- 
mained for a few weeks, when he was sent to Co- 
lumbia, and was stationed within a few miles of 
Morgan's camp. A secret spy reported to our sub- 
ject, who transmitted the information received to 
the commanding officer at Louisville. Upon dis- 
covering how matters stood the rebels became 
greatly enraged, and seemed determined to capture 
Mr. Brooks. Several times they sent cavalry to 
take him, and as often did he succeed in eluding 
them. On more than one occasion he only managed 
to do so by jumping from a second story window, 
from which they sent bullets after him as he fled. 

For six weeks Mr. Brooks was thus employed, 
every moment of the time in jeopardy, and carry- 
ing his life in 1 1 is hands. At the end of that period 
he was transferred to the Arm}' of the Cumberland. 
At Morgan's raid he saw the rebels coming through 
the town at a sweeping gait, and escaped under 
cover of an adjacent and convenient cornfield to 
the woods, and thence to a pasture, where he was 
assisted to a horse by a Union man, and made good 
his escape, but only by a hair's breadth. At Green 
River bridge he came to a company of Union men, 
and staid with them ; together the}' saw Lebanon 
burn. He was in the employ of the Government 
until 1865. He was captured by Wheeler in 1864. 
and afterward paroled, and upon returning to the 
Union lines was transferred to the Army of the Po- 
tomac, and was in service at Harper's Ferry and 
along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. 
At the close of the war, and at the tune of the as- 



-*~ •• ■*- 



4 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



41.j 



sassination of Lincoln, be was in the United States 
Telegraph Office at Washington, D. C. In the fall 
of 1865, owing to a broken condition of health, he 
was compelled to leave the service. 

Mr. Brooks next procured a wagon and team, and 
by the aid thereof journeyed across the plains to 
New Mexico, driving by day and camping wher- 
ever he could find a convenient and secure place at 
night, for Indian raids at that time were by no 
means uncommon. From New Mexico he went to 
Denver, and returned to Missouri in the year I860, 
and there enlisted under the State to help suppress 
guerrilla warfare. He was in camp at Independence, 
Mo., and served for a time, and afterward went to 
Virginia and took up his old work. There he met 
and married Miss Susan Sturm, on the 26th of De- 
cember, 1866. Of this marriage there were born 
four children, of whom only two daughters, Ollie 
and Flora, are still living. 

In the year 1868 Mr. Brooks removed with his 
family to Nebraska, and became the agent of the 
Union Pacific Railroad in the mountains while the 
railroad was in course of construction, a greater 
part of the time being surrounded by a commu- 
nity which by no means appreciated the action of 
the company, and on that account were anything 
but congenial. This continued until the spring of 
1869, when he retired toa farm in Nemaha County, 
which he purchased and remained upon it one year. 
He assisted in the construction of the telegraph 
line west of Dorchester, to Sutton, etc. His fam- 
ily was the first to live in Fairmont, Fillmore 
County. Thence he went to Beatrice, and was 
there stationed until he went to Lincoln as ticket 
agent for the Burliugton & Missouri River Rail- 
road. Leaving Lincoln, he went to Nebraska City 
as commercial operator, and afterward was ap- 
pointed as agent at Tecumseh for the Atchison & 
Nebraska Railroad. There he remained until the 
transfer of this road to the Burlington & Missouri 
River Railroad, when he was made station agent 
for the consolidated railroad. In all he has been 
agent here for the past fourteen years, and is one of 
the most respected men of the city. His sterling 
worth, ability and character are all testified to by 
the confidence reposed in him by the company 
throughout this lengthy period. 



Mr. Brooks has been a member of the City Coun- 
cil for five years, and has served with the greatest 
satisfaction to those by whom he was placed in the 
Council chamber. He is an enthusiastic member of 
the Masonic fraternity, and has made the institu- 
tion the subject of careful investigation. In con- 
nection therewith he has studied closely tin- sacred 
volume, and has produced a Masonic Bible chart 
that has been highly spoken of by those who know 
it. He is the owner of a fine residence on Third 
street, south of the depot, and there makes his 
home. In addition to this he possesses other im- 
portant and valuable town property, also a farm 
two and one-half miles southwest of the city, and 
a half-section of land in the State of Kansas. 






D 



NATHANIEL 0. BINER is a representative 
citizen of Johnson County, living on scc- 
\1\:1L. tion ."», township (i north, range 1 1 east, in 
Helena Precinct, where he owns L60 acres of good 
land. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, 
Feb. 2. 1836, a son of Wesley ami Ann Biner, na- 
tives of Virginia and New Jersej respectively. To 
this union seven children were born, and six are 
yel living: George \\\, Isaac L. and John M. are 
residents of Allen County. Ohio; Rebecca is the 
widow of John Hanz,-now living in Butler County, 
Kan.; Sarah E. is the wife of Tilman Wilkins. and 
also lives in Allen County. Ohio, and Mary A. is 
deceased. 

Our subject was the eldest of the family, ami 
was seventeen years old when his mother died, lie 
lived with his father and grew to manhood in his 
native State, where he received such education as 
was afforded by the district schools of that day. lie 
was sixteen years old when the family removed to 
Allen County. Ohio, which was the scene of his 
mother's death, and where his father had. in 1851, 
bought a tract of Government land, on which he 
still lives. In the fall of 1864 our subject deter- 
mined to start out for himself, and going to Illi- 
nois, resided therefor a few months; from there he 
went to Wisconsin, working in various places in 
thai state until the fall of 1867, when he came io 

Johnson County, Neb., where he purchased and 1 ' 



•►H^ 



416 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



settled upon his present farm. It was then in a 
state of nature, but by much hard work, energy 
and good judgment, lie has made it a productive 
farm and a valuable property. 

In March, 1880, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Arininta Miller, by whom he is the 
father of four children — Mary B., Orren N., Ada 
E. and Ernest. Mr. Biner enjoys the esteem and 
confidence of the people with win mi he associates, 
and who respect him for his upright principles and 
sterling character. He and his wife are leaders in 
the social circles of their vicinity, and in politics 
he is a Republican. 



*t 



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*g£g^OT7T»\~ -w»~ 




R. MALCOLM STEWART, physician and 
surgeon, and one who has built up for him- 
self a good record as a conscientious and 
able practitioner, is a Scotchman by birth 
and ancestry, a native of the city of Glasgow, where 
he first opened his eyes to the light Oct. 30, 1858. 
His father, John Stewart, crossed the Atlantic with 
his family in 1870, and making his way west of the 
Mississippi, settled upon a tract of land in Black 
Hawk County, Iowa. There Malcolm was reared to 
manhood, and remained on the farm of his father 
until 1878. 

Our subject had in the meantime begun a practi- 
cal education, which was completed in the State 
Normal School at Cedar Falls, from which he was 
graduated in June, 1881. In September following 
he was given charge of the Cascade (Iowa) schools, 
where he acquitted himself creditably one year, and 
in 1882 came to Tecumseh and conducted the first 
Teachers' Institute ever held here. He desired, 
however, something different from the duties of a 
teacher, and in the meantime had already availed 
himself of some of the best medical works within his 
reach, which he studied attentively, and prepared 
himself to enter the medical department of the 
State University of Iowa City. He applied him- 
self faithfully, and was graduated with honors on 
the 5th of March, 1884. 

In Ma}' of the year above mentioned Dr. Stewart 
established himself in Vesta, where he began the 
regular practice of his profession, and where he has 



built up a good business. He has spent very few idle 
moments, and from the time of his coming here has 
been recognized as a valued addition to the com- 
munity. He is prominent in local affairs and one 
of the most reliable members of the Republican 
party in this part of the State. He believes in pro- 
tection to American industries, and has filled many 
positions of trust and responsibility, in which he 
has sought to uphold the principles of his part}' in 
that conscientious manner which is one of the char- 
acteristics of the man. He has been elected Coro- 
ner, rilling that position creditably. Both he and 
his estimable wife are members in good standing of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and their home is 
a favorite resort for the cultivated people of their 
community. The Doctor is young in years, but 
has kept his eyes open to what was going on around 
him, and if he is spared will round up his days in 
usefulness. 

Dr. Stewart was married, June 22, 1884, to Miss 
Mary E. McGee, daughter of Thomas C. McGee, 
M. D., who died in Vesta, this county. Of this 
union there is one child, a son, Charles E. The Doc- 
tor and his little family occupy a neat residence, 
where they are surrounded by all the comforts of 
life. They occupy a good position socially, and the 
Doctor, both as a member of society and of one of 
the leading professions, bids fair to make his mark 
in the world. He has thus far been remarkably 
successful, being in the enjoyment of a lucrative 
practice, which is steadily increasing. 



UILLIAM W. TERRY came to Spring Creek 
Precinct with his family in the spring of 
Wy/ 1880, and settled on his present farm of 
160 acres, comprising the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 9. With the exception of eighty acres broken 
there had been but little attempt at improvement. 
He moved a frame house from M. D. Raymond's, 
moved into it. and soon afterward began the strug- 
gle with the soil in which he has come off victor, 
having now a good farm with suitable buildings, 
and being surrounded with all the comforts of life. 
His family comprises a most estimable wife and 
four children, two of whom continue at home with 
■» 



•4- 



■•*■ 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



417 



their parents, these being sons, Edward M. and 
Austin A.; the other son is Thomas 15. The only 
daughter. Martha, is the wife of II. L. Shaw, and 
resides in Elbert County, Colo. 

Mr. Perry gives special attention to the raising 
Of good stock, including cattle, horses and swine. 
He has made farming a lifelong occupation, begin- 
ning his career as an agriculturist on the soil of 
Cass County. Ind.. where he assisted his father in 
the building up of a homestead among the pioneers 
of that region. lie was born in Washington 
County. Pa., Nov. 2(>. 1830, and when a lad six 
years of age was taken by his parents to Cass 
County. Ind., where he was reared to manhood. 
He is the son of Reuben and Cynthia (Coleman) 
Perry, who were natives of Washington and Greene 
Counties, Pa., and the mother of English ancestry. 
Reuben Perry, during the War of 1812, enlisted as 
a soldier, but owing to his ill-health did not engage 
in active service, and was obliged to return to the 
pursuits of a more quiet life. The parental house- 
hold included six children, of whom four are still 
living, namely: Thomas F., of Brownville, Neb.; 
Ezra, of Barber County. Kan; Harriet. Mrs. Henry 
Merritt.of Nemaha County, this State, and William 
\Y\. of our sketch. 

The Perry family took up their abode in Cass 
County. Ind.. in the spring of IH.'iT, and there the 
parents spent the remainder of their lives, the 
mother passing away in 1873, and the father two 
years later, in 1875, at a ripe old age. William W., 
like his brothers and sisters, was reared amid the 
scenes of pioneer life, which, with all its difficulties, 
was not unmixed with pleasure, and participated, 



with other diversions, in many a log rolling in the 
Hoosier State. His education was conducted in the 
district school, and he took kindly to his books, 
developing into a teacher, at which profession he 
was engaged four terms. Aside from this inter- 
ruption in his career he has followed farming 
mostly since the time he was old enough to be of 
service in handling a hoe or guiding a plow. He, 
however, learned bricklaying under the instruction 
of his father, who was master of this trade, and 
operated considerably as a contractor in Ca^s 
County. 

When nearly twenty-seven years old Mr. Perry, 
having in view the establishment of a home of his 
own. was married, .Ian. 15. 1857, in Cass County, 
Ind.. to Miss Mary M. Johnston, who was born in 
Clarke County, Ohio, April 2-1. 1833. Her parents, 
James and Mary R. ( Burges) Johnston, were natives 
of Ireland and Virginia, and spent their last years 
in Ohio. Their family consisted of eleven chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living. 

Mr. and Mrs. Perry continued residents of In- 
diana until coming to Nebraska, Mr. P. having 
built up a good farm in Liberty Township, Fulton 
County. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
Gen. Scott, and, politically, is a stanch Republican. 
The people of Spring Creek Precinct readily rec- 
ognized his good qualities, both as a farmer and a 
citizen, and in the fall of 1885 he was elected Jus- 
tice of the Peace. He has never desired office, 
however, and declined to qualify for this position, 
preferring to give his time and attention to his 
farming interests. He is a man of advanced ideas, 
fully posted upon the general topics of the day. 




♦At^ 



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1 



tF^i 




PAWNEE COUNTY. 



NEBRASKA, 




7 \fa^s?<r& *ti& 



■♦- 



"**■ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



125 




^<s$<|§i»-$s><^ 




4 



<|=t<IELDING F. LIMING. The early pioneers 
^ of Pawnee County were as a rule men of 
strong principles and wonderful energy. 
They endured hardships that are unknown to their 
children, and the least that their posterity can do is 
to think of them with due respect and perpetuate 
their memories by the best means possible, while 
they enjoy the advantages of that education which 
the industry and integrity of their fathers secured 
for them. These thoughts seem particularly appli- 
cable in reviewing the record of him whose name 
stands at the head of this sketch. He has for years 
been numbered among the prominent farmers of 
Pawnee Precinct, but has now wisely retired from 
the active labors of life, and is spending his declin- 
ing years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his in- 
dustry. 

The Liming family in earlier times was widely 
and favorably known throughout Brown County, 
Ohio, which our subject claims as his birthplace, 
and where he began life on the 9th of January, 
1831. His parents, Ahira D. and Villeta (White) 
Liming, were also natives of the Buckeye State, 
both born in 1801, the father at the mouth of the 
Licking River and the mother near the same local- 
ity. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Liming, was 
of French descent, and the mother of our subject 
was the daughter of Judge White, who presided 
over the court of the circuit, including Brown 
County, Both the grandparents spent their last 
years upon the soil of the Buckeye State. 

There grew up around the parental fireside of our 
«• 



subject's parents a large family of children, eleven 
in number, four of whom are still living. Fielding 
F. attended school in his native State until a lad 
of eleven years, and then the family all moved to 
Washington County, Iowa, where he reached man's 
estate. He was trained to habits of industry and 
economy, and in common with his brothers and sis- 
ters assisted in carrying on the farm, remaining 
under the parental roof until in the twenty-fouth 
year of his age. 

March 8, 1855, Mr. Liming was united in mar- 
riage in Washington County, Iowa, with Miss Lu- 
cinda, the daughter of Abraham and Susanna (Eu- 
lows) Kelley. This lady was born Nov. 13, 1827, in 
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Liming lived in Iowa until the 
summer of 1857, and then our subject pushed on 
further westward, settling in this county. He pre- 
empted ICO acres of land north of the present site 
of Pawnee City. Upon this he labored a number 
of years, effecting many improvements, putting up 
buildings and setting out fruit and shade trees. 
Then, desirous of a change of occupation he in- 
vested a portion of his capital in general merchan- 
dise, establishing a store at Pawnee City, which he 
operated three years, then closed out. Several 
years later he formed a partnership with ex-Gov. 
Butler and W. 15. Raper, the firm being Butler, Ra- 
per & Liming, and in due time our subject ex- 
changed his interest in the business for his home 
farm, which now embraces 220 acres on section 28, 
in Pawnee Precinct. It is conveniently located one 
and one-half miles from the cit}', and is devoted 




*H*^ 



426 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4- 



largely to the raising of live stock. Mr. Liming 
has been remarkably successful in this industry, 
selling largely to feeders, and also shipping. lie 
thus utilizes the most of his grain. He also owns 
320 acres of land in Pawnee County aside from his 
home. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Liming comprises 
two sons only, Daniel R. and John Elmer, who are 
both at home with their parents. Mr. L., politically, 
is a solid Republican. His inclinations were most 
firmly set in this direction after the firing of the first 
gun on Ft. Sumter. In 1859 he was elected Treas- 
urer of Pawnee County to complete the term of 
Christian Bobts, and was then regularly elected to 
the same office, in which he served five years in all. 
Later he served as County Commissioner three 
years. In religious matters he is identified with the 
Christian Church, and socially, belongs to Interior 
Lodge No. 9, I. O. 0. F. 

Mr. Liming erected the first house in which he 
resided in Pawnee City, both for a store and dwell- 
ing, one and a half stories in height. This he sold 
later. His little son, Andrew Perry, was the first 
child burn in Pawnee City. The property of our 
subject is unencumbered, and considering the fact 
that he came to this county with limited means 
it must be admitted that he has made a good 
record. He has ever strictly observed that impor- 
tant factor in the life of every successful man, 
honesty, and in this respect ever adheres to the 
dictates of his conscience, both in public and private. 
The natural result of this is that he is a man uni- 
versally esteemed, and one whose word is consid- 
ered as good as his bond. 

A portrait of this leading citizen of the count} - , 
who has been such an important factor in its growth 
and development, appears on an adjoining page. 

ffi/OHN BOOMGAARN. Asa farmer of marked 
ability, forethought, and force of character, 
who brings a clear head and a well-trained 
intellect to bear upon his work, the subject 
of this sketch has played an important part in the 
development of the magnificent agricultural re- 
sources of Pawnee County, and while so doing he 



« 



has become very prosperous himself, and is now 
the owner of a beautiful farm, on whose broad, fer- 
tile acres many sleek, well-graded cattle and fine 
blooded horses roam, while the well-tilled fields 
are productive of rich harvests, and, in the words 
of one of the beloved poets of the German Father- 
land, " His garners are filled with the gold of the 
grain." Mr. Boomgaarn's farm is finely located, 
partly on section 13, northeast quarter of township 
3, range 12, and 240 acres in Richardson County, 
making 400 acres of land of unsurpassed fertility. 

Mr. Boomgaarn was born in Germany, Dec. l(j, 
1852, and his parents, John and .Maggie (Schilling) 
Boomgaarn. were likewise natives of that country, 
bis father's birth occurring Oct. 29, 1827. and his 
mother's Sept. 14. 1827. To them were born six 
children, three of whom lived to come to America, 
but our subject is the only member of the family 
now living. After coming to this country Mr. 
Boomgaarn, Sr., settled first in Pekin, 111., and being 
an educated man he obtained employment shortly 
after in the wholesale and retail store of Henry 
Wide & Co., and remained with them several years. 
In 1871 he came to Nebraska with his family and 
started a sheep ranch on section 11. In 1884 he 
sold out and located in Richardson County, and 
there he and his wife are still living, honored and 
esteemed by all who know them for their blameless 
Christian lives, and for what they have done to 
advance the material interests of Nebraska. They 
are devoted members of the Lutheran Church. 

Our subject received the preliminaries of a liberal 
education in the Fatherland, where his boyhood 
was passed until he was thirteen years old. At 
that age lie accompanied his parents to the United 
Stati'S, anil in Pekin, Tazewell Co., 111., was well 
grounded in the English language and other 
branches of study. After leaving school he became 
clerk in the wholesale and retail grocery store of 
Henry Velde <fe Co., the same establishment in 
which his father was employed. He remained 
with them three years, and in the meantime 
worked his way up to a responsible position. In 
1871, in the winter season, he came to this State 
with his father's family, and settled on the quarter 
of section 13 on which he still makes his home. 
It was at that time wild, uncultivated land, and 



*t 



*•- 



^#* 



"u 



l'AWNKK COUNTY, 



427' ' 



Mr, Boomgaara turned the first furrow and set out 
the first trees, and he now has 2 n u acres under 
plow, having added to his original purchase, and 
the remainder is in pasturage or cultivated timber, 
nf which he lias set out six acres, and he Ims a good 
orchard. All nf his lirst quarter-section is neatly 
hedged, and the other is fenced with one-half hedge 
and one-half wire, lie built a good dwelling, 12x 
20, drawing the lumber from Brownville, thai 
being his nearest market to which he carried his 
produce. He at first devoted his land to the cult- 
ure of grain, and as his means allowed introduced 
stock-raising, and now has a line herd of sixty 
graded Short-horns, and he has sixty hogs "f 
mixed Poland-China-Berkshire breed, all in fine 
condition and free from disease, and he also raises 
horses. 

Mr. Boomgaarn came herewith a capital of $1,000, 
which, by judicious investment, superior manage- 
ment, and a free expenditure of time and muscle, 
he has so increased that he is now classed amongthe 
wealthy farmers of Pawnee County, and his farm is 
one of the most productive, extensive and profitable 
estates for miles around. lie has naturally taken 
greal Lnteresl in the welfare of his adopted town- 
shin, and has by no means bei n backward in en- 
couraging any enterprise that tended to advance its 
material prosperity. He assisted in the organization 
of School District No. 40, and his father was first 
Moderator, and in that capacity helped to build the 
school-house. Our subject is no politician, but is 
always to be found at the polls supporting the 
party of his choice, which for The last five years has 
been the Democratic part}', he having formerly 
affiliated with the Republicans. He is a thoughtful, 
straightforward, manly man. who is true in all the 
relations of life in which he has been placed. Asa 
son. he is dutiful and affectionate; as a husband 
thoughtful and devoted; as a father, tender and 
loving; as a neighbor, kind and considerate. 

The marriage of Mr. Boomgaarn with Miss Jennie 
Schilling took place April 30, 1879, and has been 
blessed to them by the birth of live children, 
namely: John, Fred, Maggie, Harmon and Jennie. 
Mrs. Boomgaarn is also a native of Germany, born 
in that far-away Empire Jan. 17, 1858, a daughter 
of Fred S. and Maggie (Myers) Schilling, natives 



of Germany. They came in America in 1871, 
settled firsl in Illinois, then moved to Iowa, 
from there to Southern Minnesota, whence they 
came to this state iii January, 1879. The parents 
are now living in Minnesota, where the father is 
engaged in farming. They have had eight chil- 
dren, nf whom six are living. 



ENRY HUNZEKER, mi., nf the mosl exten- 
i sive, prosperous and influential agricultur- 
ists nf Pawnee County, has a line farm lying 
«©) on sections 23, 2(1. .".."i and 86, Sheridan Pre- 
cinct, where he has lived since ruining to this State 
as a pioneer, ill 1856. lie is a native of that thrifty 
little Republic across the sea, Switzerland, where 
his birth occurred Oct. 8, 1835. He remained 
among the beautiful scenes nf his native land until 
nineteen vears nf age. when, thinking to better his 
condition, he left kith and kin and emigrated to the 
United Stales, locating first in stark County, Ohio. 
His small sum nf money giving nut he immediately 
sought employment, ami the following seventeen 

weeks labored hard for the insignificant pittance nf 

seventy-five cents a week. 

The next year we find our subject wen-king in 
Andrew County, Mo., where he was paid &l"> a 
month, and 81 a hundred besides for making rails. 
By steady toil and judicious economy he was en- 
abled to save enough money in the few months 
that he remained there to buy a yoke of cattle, a 
cow. several needed implements, and some extra 
money which he wished to invest in land. Con- 
ceiving the Territory of Nebraska to possess many 

desirable advantages for the tanner, such as cheap 

land, good climate, etc.. our subject decided to set- 
tle here. Starling on foot for the promised land, 
he arrived in this county in June, 1856, pre-empted 

120 acres of wild prairie land, and became the first 
settler in Sheridan Precinct, and one of the firsl in 
Pawnee County. In ISi.~i7 he set OUl sonic trees, 
built a small house and began to improve his farm. 
Later he took up a homestead claim adjoining his 
first claim, and to his original acreage he has since 
added, as he could afford to. paying from $1.25 to 
$10 an acre. until he QOW has a magnificenl farm of 



in « i f 



428 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



Hr 



760 acres, all under good cultivation. He has a 
fine orchard of six or seven acres which he set out 
in 1866, and also five or six miles of hedge around 
and across li is farm. He has evinced rare skill, 
tact and sound judgment in the management and 
beautifying of his farm, which is a credit to him 
and an ornament to the county. 

Mr. llun/.eker lias erected a fine, commodious 
stone house, quarrying all the material, excepting 
the cornel- stone, on his farm, and he lias built an 
extensive ham. 14x60 feet, with an addition 32x 
.'58 feet. He makes a study of agriculture, and 
carries it on after the most approved methods, and 
has all the modern implements for doing so. Our 
subject is one of the most extensive corn raisers of 
the county, harvesting !•"><> acres or more each year, 
lie also pays much attention to stock-raising, his 
principal grade of cattle being Ilolsteins. he having 
been the original introducer of that breed in this 
county. His first Ilolstein bull he bought of 
George A. Brown, the well-known stock dealer of 
Aurora. 111., paying *2.">0 and the freight for a calf 
ten months old. He has since continually added 
fine thoroughbreds to his stock, having this year 
purchased two animals at a cost of $225 each, his 
herd containing now about a hundred head of cat- 
tle. Mr. llun/.eker pays considerable attention to 
horse breeding, having quite a number of horses of 
g 1 grades. 

As one of the original settlers of this part of the 
State our subject has been an eye-witness and an 
active participator in the many wondrous changes 
that have been effected in Pawnee County. Until 
L865 Si. Joseph, Mo., was the nearest trading place, 
it taking a week to make the round trip with an ox- 
team. The nearest post-otlice was in Salem, a town 
in Richardson County. Mr. llun/.eker has materi- 
ally aided all schemes for the improvement of this 
precinct, ill which he has an abiding interest. He 
helped to organize the school district and the road 
district, and in 1857 assisted in building the first 
bridge in the county, which is one mile southeast 
of Table Rock Precinct, he putting in the first 
stroke of work himself. For nine or ten years he 
has been Road Supervisor, and for the larger part 
of the time since coming here either Moderator. 
Director or Treasurer of the school district, always 



serving with fidelity in whatever office he is placed. 
He is a self-made man in every sense implied by the 
term, and his honest and useful career furnishes an 
example to the rising generation of what may lie ac- 
complished by courageous industry, integrity and 
moral rectitude. Socially, Mr. Hunzeker is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he usu- 
ally casts his vote with the Democratic party. 

The union of our subject with Miss Mary Stadler 
tools place in St. Joseph, Mo., Oct, 2:!. L863. She- 
is also a native of Switzerland, born in September. 
1834, and remained in her native country until 
twenty-nine years of age, when she emigrated to 
the United States. She came directly to the West, 
and was married in St. Joseph. Of the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Hunzeker eight children have been 
born, seven of whom are now living; their names 
are as follows: Louise. Rebecca, Henry. Emma, 
Samuel. William, Lewis and Mary E. Rebecca 
married Horace Chapman, of this precinct, and they 
have one child, James Henry. All the others are 
at home with their parents. 



•*£&&&%§" 



%f$— »~S§^W<'*» 



j}i_^ ENRY L. AIKINS has been identified with 
J|] the mercantile interests of this county for a 
period of six years. He retired from active 
business in 1888, and is uow spending his 
declining da}'s amid the comforts of a pleasant 
and attractive home in Pawnee City. His native 
place was Morgansville, Morgan Co., Ohio, where 
his birth took place Jan. 30, 1834, and he numbered 
the third in a family of eleven children, two of 
whom died when one and twenty years old, re- 
spectively. 

William and Ann (Pennell) Aikins, the parents 
of our subject, are still living. Henry L. spent his 
younger years in Vinton County, Ohio, to which 
his parents had removed, and varied the monotony 
of rural life by attendance at the district school, 
after which he worked on the farm until reaching 
his majority. Soon afterward he was married, May 
30, 1855, to Miss Mary Hitt, of Vinton County, 
whose home was near Mt, Pleasant. She was the 
daughter of Peter and Rebecca (Nye) Hitt, and was 



f 



•f 



■«•- 



~rr— u. ... 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



429 



*t 



born Feb. 28, 1839. Her parents were native.-, re- 
spectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Their 
family included ten 'children, of whom Mrs. Aikins 
was the fourth in order of birth, and all of whom 
lived to have families except one, a son who died 
when four years old. m 

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Aikins 
left the Buckeye Slate and took up their abode on a 
farm in Henry County, 111. The outbreak of the 
Civil War shortly afterward turned the attention of 
our subject in another direction, and he decided to 
shoulder his musket and assist in the preservation 
of the Union. He enlisted in Company 11, 11th 
Illinois Cavalry, under command of Col. Robert 
Ingersoll, and, with his comrades, participated in 
some of the most important battles which followed, 
namely: Pittsburg Landing, the siege of Corinth, 
Park's Cross Roads, the second battle of Corinth, 
and in numerous minor engagements. After the 
surrender of Vicksburg they were stationed at that 
point for a time, and Mr. Aikins endured the com- 
mon lot of the soldier, its privation-, its hairbreadth 
escapes, but came out of the conflict unharmed, 
being mustered out at Memphis, Tenn., in Decem- 
ber, 1866, after a faithful service of three years 
and one month. He served all through the war as 
a non-commissioned officer, and frequently com- 
manded the company while in battle. 

In the meantime, while Mr. Aikins was in the 
army, his wife removed back to her parents in Ohio. 
In the spring of 1866 she accompanied him to thi> 
county, Mr. Aikins taking up a homestead claim in 
Pawnee Precinct, where he improved a good farm, 
and lived for a period of nineteen years. After 
bringing the soil to a thorough state of cultivation 
he turned his attention to stock-raising, breeding 
large numbers of cattle and swine. He prosecuted 
this industry until 1884, when he removed to Paw- 
nee City, and purchased the slock of drugs and 
groceries belonging to J. P.. Samuels. He engaged 
in this department of trade four years, then traded 
the stock for a farm in Osborne County. Kan., which 
is the property of himself and his son Amos \l. He 
still retains possession of the old homestead of 160 
acres. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Aikins are recorded 
as follows: Ainos R. is the eldest; Arietta is the 



wife of William Miner, a resident of DuBois, this 
State; William A. occupies the old homestead, and 
has an adopted daughter, named Emma, at home. 
Mr. Aikins has served as Deputy Sheriff of Pawnee 
County, and held other positions of trust. He is 
conservative in polities, with leanings toward Re- 
publicanism. He began at the foot of the ladder 
in the accumulation of his property, and the result 
is a tine illustration of what maj' be accomplished 
by diligence and economy. 



\f^ 1 ' C 1 1 CAP.P.V. No man within the limits 

If)! of Pawnee County stands higher, socially, 
JW^' than the subject of this record, who occu- 
(jgl l'' L ' s •'' f i lu ' farm on section 29 in Sheridan 
Precinct, lie has I 20 acres of land highly culti- 
vated and very productive, and lias added by de- 
grees the modern improvements suggested to the 
progressive agriculturist, erecting buildings, plant- 
ing fruit and shade trees, and bringing about him- 
self and family all of the comforts and many of the 
luxuries of life. 

The family residence of our subject invariably 
attracts the admiring eye of all who pass by it. It 
is a large, elegant frame structure, put up in 
modern style of architecture, covering an area of 
28x32 feet, two stories in height and with an L. 
It is well finished and handsomely furnished, ami. 
with its surroundings, forms a very attractive pic- 
ture in the landscape of this region. Mr. Gabby 
has himself effected nearly all the improvements 
which have made his property so valuable. His 
specialty is stock-raising, including large numbers 
of horses, cattle and swine, high-grade and regis- 
tered animals, his cattle being the Ilolstein breed, 
his horses Norman and Clydesdale, and his swine 
are the favorite l'oland-Chinas. lie has labored 
early ami late in the improvement of his property. 
following the plow himself many a day. planting 
many of his trees with his own hands, thus adopt- 
ing the surest means of getting on in the world. 
A man kindly and generous among his neighbors, 
he is held in universal esteem, while his upright 
business transactions have made for him a record 
of which his children will never be ashamed. 

— *» 



f 



430 



4~ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



< >ur subject received his first impressions of life 
in the Keystone State, having been born in Wash- 
ington County, Sept. 8, 1850. and he continued a 
resident there until 1883. He acquired his educa- 
tion in the common schools, and worked on the 
farm in Pennsylvania until coming West. To 
his parents, William and Margaret (McClelland) 
Gabby, there were born thirteen children, of whom 
nine are still living', making their homes mostly in 
Pennsylvania. The father was born in Washing- 
ton County, Pa., Sept. 14, 1803. and lived at the 
homestead where he was born a period of nearly 
eighty years, his death taking place May 20, 1883. 
There he began housekeeping with his bride, and 
they spent fifty years together. The mother is still 
living at the old homestead in Washington County. 
They were people highly respected in their com- 
munity, and William Gabby was for over forty 
years a member in good standing of the Session of the 
United Presbyterian Church. The paternal grand- 
father, James ( iabby, was, it is supposed, a native of 
Scotland, and settled in Washington County, Pa., at 
an early day, taking up land from the Government 
before the Indians had left the county. He also 
spent his last days at the same old farm. 

Our subject was the third youngest son of his 
parents, and he remained at the old farm until 
the death of the father. Upon reaching man's estate 
he was married to a maiden of his own county, 
.Miss Mattie Brownlee, who was born June 30, 
1856. She is the daughter of Samuel and Eliza- 
beth Brownlee, who lived upon a farm in Wash- 
ington County the greater part of their married 
life. The mother yet survives, and lives in Mon- 
mouth, 111. Mrs. (iabby received a common-school 
education, and continued a member of the parental 
household until her marriage. Her union with our 
subject resulted in the birth of four children — 
Samuel Brownlee, Charles E., Mary and Margaret 
E. They are all at home with their parents, 
and are being given tin' training and education 
which will fit them for their proper position in life 
as the offspring of their excellent and worthy par- 
ents. 

Upon leaving Pennsylvania Air. Gabby settled 
first near Plattsmouth, in Cass County, where he 
lived a year, but not being pleased with the out- 



look there changed his residence to this county, 
mostly on account of its better church and school 
advantages. Mr. (iabby has always entertained a 
warm interest in the temperance movement, and 
in 1887 allied himself with the Prohibition party. 
Both he and his excellent wife belong to the United 
Presbyterian Church, in the doctrines of which 
Mr. G. was reared from boyhood. He holds the 
office of Elder, and is interested in Sabbath-school 
work, giving liberally of his time and means to 
advance the cause of the Master. 





ERDINAND BSTANDIG. It is tothemen 

S| of active brain, liberal spirit, fertile expedi- 
ents, progressive views, good business and 
financial tact, that the village of Burchard looks 
to give an impetus to her commerce, manufactures 
and other interests, and, as a representative of such, 
we present the subject of this sketch, who is en- 
gaged in the furniture and undertaking business. 
He opened a furniture store here in January, 1883. 
in connection with John P. Swallow, which part- 
nership continued until 1886, when Mr. Bstandig 
bought Mr. Swallow's interest, and has since con- 
ducted the business alone. In 1887 he put up his 
present- building, fitted it up in good style, and 
after moving into it increased his stock, and now 
has the largest establishment in town, and carries 
on an extensive and remunerative business in both 
departments. Although he devotes the most of 
his time to his store, he looks after his farming in- 
terests, ami carries on agriculture on a small scale. 
He owns a good farm of 120 acres, finely located 
on section 18, Miles Precinct. 

Mr. Bstandig was born in Austria, in Bohemia, 
May 30. 1849, he being derived of an honorable 
and wealthy ancestry, who were among the leading 
citizens of his native town, taking a prominent part 
in the civic life thereof. His parents, Carl and 
Johanna (P.ohm) Bstandig, were also natives of 
Bohemia. His paternal grandfather, Anton Bstan- 
dig, was born in the same place, and was at one 
time Mayor of the city of Scheles. He was for 
many years actively engaged in the fur trade, and 



Jf*. 



-HM» 



PAWNKE COUNTY. 



181 



*t 



manufactured fur clothes. He also engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits to some extent, having a large 
farm, and he was a man of wealth. lit' died in 
1876, at the age of eighty years. The maternal 
grandfather of our subject, Wenzl Bohm, was a 
Bohemian by birth, a native of thai country, and 
for some time held the office of Town Clerk. He 

was a farmer, well-to-do in this world's g Is, 

owning a large estate. He was a lifelong resident 
of his Dative Province, dying there in 1884, at the 
venerable age of eighty-four years. The father 
<>f our subject, besides looking after his small farm 
in his native Province, was engaged at his trade as 
a tanner, and also carried on the fur business. In 
1867 he migrated t<> the United States, and settling 
in Chicago engaged in different kinds of work in 
that city until L870, when he decided to locate in 
Nebraska, to try farming on her rich soil. Accord- 
ingly lie came by rail to Pawnee County, and pur- 
chased a tract -of 12(1 acres of wild land in .Miles 
Precinct, lie improved it into a fine, productive 
farm, and is still engaged in farming and stock- 
raising on his old homestead, tie has accumulated 
a comfortable competence, and with his wife is en- 
joying it in a cozy home, he being now seventy 
years old. and she sixty-eight years. They are 
consistent and esteemed members of the Catholic 
Church, and are looked upon with respect and con- 
sideration liy all who know them. Of their mar- 
ried life four children have been horn, as follows: 
Ferdinand; Annie, in Chicago; Mary, dead; Joseph, 
in Nebraska. 

lie of whom we write leeched the foundation of 
his education in a private or pay school, which he 
attended until he was twelve years of age. He was 
then a pupil in a High School for six months. When 
about fourteen years of age the stern realities of 
life began for him. as he was then apprenticed to 
learn the cabinet -maker's trade. He Served about 
three years, and was a journeyman after that for' 
awhile, mostly in Germany. He then returned to 
his old home ami started with his parents for the 
United states, embarking at Bremen on the steamer 
"Baltic," and after a somewhat tempestuous voy- 
age, being tossed about on the ocean for eighteen 
days, they landed in New York. Thence they pro- 
ceeded to Chicago, where our subject found work 



ai Ids trade, and during his residence in that city 

he was employed in different furniture factories. 

In 1870 he came with his parents to Nebraska, ami 
besides assisting his father on the farm he worked 
at the carpenter's trade. In 1872 our subject went 
to Nebraska City, and there worked in a furniture 
store at the cabinet-maker's trade about a year. lie 
then returned to Miles Precinct, and remained on 
his father's farm, assisting him in the management 
of it until 1874. 

September 15 of that year Mr. Bstandig was 
married, in Pawnee County, to Miss Mary Wanka. 
She is also a native of Austria, born in IMS. and 
came to America in 1874. Six children complete 
the household of our subject and his wile, a- fol- 
lows: Frederick, born Aug. 8, 1875; Annie, .Ian. 
is. 1*77; Charles. Dee. 2 1. 1878; Fannie. Nov. 
22. 1881; Frank. April .'in. 1883; .Mary. May In. 
L885. -Ml are at home and will receive every ad- 
vantage fi>r a sound education that their parents 
can afford them. 

After marriage Mr. Bstandig bought 120 acres 
of land, with no improvements, on section is, 
Miles Precinct. He immediately proceeded to break 
the soil for cultivation, set out groves of forest 
trees and an orchard, drew lumber from Table 
Bock, and erected a neat house, barn- and other 
OUt-buildingS, partly fenced his land with wire, and 
in a few years had as good and well-tilled a farm as 
there was anywhere in the precinct. It was sit- 
uated at the head of Plum (reek, and was admira- 
bly adapted to stock-raising or the culture of the 
cereals, etc.. in both of which our subject was in- 
terested. \\ hen he established himself in his present 
business in January. 1883, he rented his farm. 

Although of foreign birth our subject is thor- 
oughly imbued with the Republican spirit of our 
institutions, and these United Stales have no more 
loyal citizen than he. His public spirit is too well 
known to need comment here, as he is active in 
promoting every good cause, and all plans for the 
advancement of the material welfare of the town. 
using his influence and money freely for any such 
purpose, lb- was partly instrumental in securing 
the passage of the Burlington A- Missouri River 
Railway through here, which has proved of much 
benefit in building up the town. A part of his 



:*^f-* 



.►Hl^ 



432 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4r 



money is invested in the bonds of the company. 

His clear, cool head and sound judgment have 
been of great use in the adjustment of local affairs, 
especially in educational matters, as he is a mem- 
ber of the School Board. He lias been Supervisor 
for nine years. Politically, he is identified with 
the Union Labor party, which finds in him one of 
its stanehesi supporters, and he has been a delegate 
to State Conventions. He has served on the jury. 
He and his wife are members of the Catholic 
Church, and are among its active workers. 



*HN 



ffiOHN W. EDGERTON. The beholder in 
casting his e3 r esover the well-regulated farm 
of which this gentleman has been the pro- 
(figgy' prietor since 1857, recognizes at once that it 
has been under the supervision of a man of more 
than ordinary intelligence. The land is fertile and 
well cultivated, and the buildings are neat and sub- 
stantial, and finely adapted to the purposes of 
general agriculture. The residence with its sur- 
roundings forms a pleasant picture of the ideal 
country home. 

Our subject is the youngest son of his parents, 
Thomas and Mary Edgerton, and was born June 
22, 1837, in Indiana. Thomas Edgerton was a 
native of North Carolina, where lie was reared to 
man's estate, and married Miss Mary ( (shorn, whose 
birthplace was not far from that of her husband. 
Soon after marriage they removed to Ohio, where 
they sojourned a few years, then pushed on further 
westward into Wayne County, Ind. Later they 
changed their residence to Grant County, in the 
same State, where the father died July 27, 1844. 
The mother survived her husband, her death tak- 
ing place in Fremont County, Iowa, March 19, 
1857. 

Five children completed the parental household 
of our subject. After the decease of his father the 
mother removed to Iowa, and in the spring of 1857 
John W. decided to cast his lot among the people 
of Nebraska Territory. He entered a tract of land 
on section 30, in Cla}' Precinct, where he has since 
lived and labored to such good advantage. When 
first settling here his nearest neighbor was five 



miles away, and there was not a building to mark 
the present site of Pawnee City. Mr. Edgerton 
was unmarried when first coming here, and he put 
up a house of round logs in which he kept bache- 
lor's hall until taking unto himself a wife and help- 
mate. . 

This interesting event in the life of our subject 
occurred on the 27th of February. 1859, his bride 
being Miss Mary, daughter of P. M. Rogers. The 
young people settled down upon the new farm 
where they have since lived, and it is hardly nec- 
essary to say that it possesses for them a more than 
moneyed value. Here their eight children were 
born, named respectively: David, Sarah, George, 
Ellen, Lafayette, Emma, Eva and Clyde. They 
are all living. Sarah is the wife of Calvin Plum- 
mer, and they live in Southern Kansas. The others 
are at home with their parents. 

The Edgerton homestead comprises 240 acres of 
land, most of which is enclosed with neat and sub- 
stantial fencing. Mr. E. makes a specialty of stock- 
raising, keeping excellent grades of horses and 
swine. He is no politician, but keeps himself 
posted upon events of general interest, and uni- 
formly votes the Republican ticket. He signalized 
his patriotism during the late war by enlisting as a 
soldier in the 2d Nebraska Cavalry, serving nine 
months, and operating mostly on the frontier fight- 
ing the Indians. In religious matters lie rather 
adheres to the Quaker faith in which he was 
reared. 

The parents of Mrs. Edgerton removed from 
their native State to Fremont County, Iowa, in the 
fall of 1851. and thence, in February, 1856, to 
Nebraska Territory. The journey being made dur- 
ing the winter season, the3 T crossed the Missouri on 
the ice, and on the 1st of April removed to the 
tract of land which now comprises the farm of 
Robert T. Scott. The father had united with the 
Methodist Church when twenty-one years old, and 
from that time until his death remained an earnest 
worker in the cause which he espoused in his youth. 
He began preaching at an early age, being the pio- 
neer of this county in this respect, and was the 
means of doing great good. His entire family was 
born in Tennessee, and the removal from that State 
to Iowa was made overland with horses and oxen, 



*-*=•: 



r 



-*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



-•» 



433 



4- 



they being on the road ten weeks. They arrived 
at their destination in November, and spent the 
winter following after the manner of most pioneers 
in that lonely region, enduring many hardships and 
difficulties. The journey thence to Nebraska was 
made in a similar manner. Upon their arrival in 
this county their nearest neighbors were four miles 
away, and Indians were still to be seen at intervals 
roaming over the country. 

Among other distinguishing traits in the charac- 
ter of Rev. Rogers was his strong advocacy of tem- 
perance principles, of which he made a practical 
application in his daily life. He refused to sell his 
corn to shippers when it was likely that his neigh- 
bors might need it for provision. He would often 
sell to the pool', and allow them to pay for it 
whenever they could. His life from beginning to 
end was the exponent of a practical Christianity, 
which consisted in not letting his right hand know 
what his left was doing. 

Mr. Edgerton came to Nebraska with a capital of 
ten cents in his pocket, and has battled with sick- 
ness and other misfortunes, lmt in spite of all has 
made a good record, accumulated a comfortable 
property, and has enough to enable him to live at 
ease in his declining years. He is methodical in 
his business transactions, prompt to meet his obliga- 
tions, and in all respects has acquitted himself as 
an honest man and a good citizen. 



->-CX<3-e- 



jfp^ AMUEL S. BECKER, one of the early set- 
^^£ lleis of Table Hock Precinct, as a farmer 
lv£-J^ °^ more " l:l " ordinary intelligence, prac- 
tical ability ami enterprise, holds an assured 
position in the agricultural community of Pawnee 
County, and he and his family occupy one of the 
pleasantest and most attractive residences of the 
precinct mentioned. His tine farm on section 26, 
township •'!. range 12, which he has developed from 
the wild prairie, is well -locked, well watered, and 
in point of cultivation, neat and tasty farm build- 
ings, and other valuable improvements, compares 
with the best in this vicinity. 

Our subject is a native of the state of Pennsyl- 
vania, bom in Bedford County. Feb. 8, 1832. His 




parents. John 1!. and Teressa (Adam.-) Becker, 
were likewise natives of the Keystone State, their 
birthplace being in Adams County. In 1842 they 
removed witli their family to Canton Township. 
Stark Co., Ohio, and there cast in their lot with 
the pioneers who had preceded them, and hewed 
out a farm for themselves from the wilderness. 
Mr. Becker first erected a log house for the shelter 
of his family, and later replaced it by a more com- 
modious frame house, lie subsequently moved 
with his family to South Bend, Ind., and there died 
in 1862, at the ripe old age of seventy-four years. 
His wife died in 1859, aged about sixty-seven. 
Besides carrying on farming, he was engaged as a 
miller for many years. He and his wife were de- 
voted members of the Catholic Church, and their 
daily lives being guided by high Christian princi- 
ples, they were well worthy of the esteem and 
respect in which they were held by all who knew 
them. 

He of whom we write was one of a family of 
eleven children, of whom nine lived to maturity. 
lie was ten years old when his parents migrated to 
( Miio. and there he received a good, practical com- 
mon-school education. He accompanied his par- 
ents to Indiana, and lived in their home until he 
was twenty years old. Then, tilled with the high 
ambitions of youth, being strong, vigorous and 
self-reliant, he set out to seek his fortune in the 
gold fields of California, in 1852. In company 
with eight others from Michigan, with four teams, 
containing the usual loads, he crossed the plains, 
passing through this part of the country when 
there were no settlements this side of the .Missouri 
River, going through where now stands Seneca, 
Kan., and Marys\ ille. on the old trail. They were 
six months on the road, and at Salt Lake City, 
which had then been in existence but six years, 
they abandoned their teams, and proceeded on their 
way with pack horses, arriving at their destination 
in Placerville, in the Golden state, in September. 
Our subject went right into the mines, and was 
very successful in his search for gold, lie con- 
tinued to reside then- for eighteen years, ami a 
part of the time was engaged in business quite ex- 
tensively as a carriage and wagon manufacturer, 
and a blacksmith. He was very prosperous, and 



f- 



•►Hf^- 



-•*• 



431 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4 



built up a fine home on :i beautiful plat of land, 
embracing twenty-two acres in the suburbs of 
Placerville, that even at thai time cost $2,200. He 
erected a good house, planted a vineyard, and made 
main' valuable improvements besides. 

While on the Pacific Coast Mr. Becker's mar- 
riage to his amiable and accomplished wife was 
consummated Sept. 28, 1861, and their union has 
been blessed to them by the birth of two children, 
George E. and May N. They have been given 
every advantage afforded by the State for a fine 
education, having attended the elementary schools 
here and High School at Pawnee, and the State 
University at Lincoln, and they are now numbered 
aiming the most intelligent and progressive in- 
structors of the West. They both have fine musical 
educations, and both teach that branch in connec- 
tion with their other duties. The son now holds the 
position as Principal of the Burchard High School. 
The Professor began his career as an instructor in 
a school west of Pawnee, and being very success- 
ful there he was offered a school south of Table 
Rock. From there he went to Long Branch, and 
from there to become Principal in the Elk school, 
after which he accepted his present position. Miss 
May N. Becker is teaching very successfully her 
ninth term in the home district, besides having 
taught in other districts. For several years during 
vacation in the summer months she has successfully 
taught music, in her own neighborhood and also in 
the eastern part of the county. Mrs. Becker's 
maiden name was Carrie McConkey, and she was 
born in Ohio, July 21, 1845. Her father, John 
McConkey. was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and 
during his residence in that State was married to 
Margaret Frane. in Guernsey County. She was a 
native of that county. She was a well-educated 
lady, and united with the Presbyterian Church 
at the early age of nine years. Her husband was 
also a member of the same church. Mr. McConkey 
was for over twenty years an Elder in that church, 
and they both remained consistent members during 
their lives. They spent their last years in Nebraska 
City, Neli.. and are buried there. 

John McConkey. his daughter, Mrs. Becker, and 
her two brothers, in company with other relatives, 
made the overland trip to California during the 



year 1859, and it was there she met Mr. Becker. 
Mr. McConkey and wife were both upright people, 

who were respected by their neighbors and friends 
for their many sterling qualities of head and heart. 

Mrs. Becker is entitled to an M. 1). after her 
name, as she has been practicing medicine for 
eighteen years, and according to the testimony 
of her neighbors has been very successful, and 
shows marked skill and tact in her treatment of the 
various diseases that she has had under her care. 
She has a recognized standing in the medical pro- 
fession of Pawnee County, as she has been regis- 
tered since the law requiring registration by those 
practicing medicine. She keeps abreast of the 
times in regard to the best methods of treatment, 
taking the latest medical journals and having the 
best books in her library. 

In 1870, Mr. Becker, accompanied by his family, 
left California to make his residence in this State 
for the future. They lived in Nebraska City for 
ten months, and then our subject purchased his 
present farm, comprising 160 acres, and has dwelt 
here ever since. In improving his land he has 
been greatly assisted by his wife, a woman of rare 
energy and ability. She helped him to plant all 
the beautiful trees and shrubbery that adorn the 
grounds around the house, and has otherwise aided 
him in his schemes of improvement. Mr. Becker 
has put out ten acres of forest trees and a fine 
orchard, and has hedged the orchard and garden, 
and a part of his fields. lie has plenty of small 
fruits, besides raising the cereals planted in this 
part of the West. At first he sold all of his grain 
to the home market, but as soon as he could he 
stocked his farm, and now feeds his grain. He 
keeps hogs of a fine breed, and has a valuable herd 
of high-grade cattle, having a thoroughbred 
Short-horn at the head of his herd. Ever since 
they came here Mrs. Becker has paid especial atten- 
tion to raising fowls, having an extensive hennery. 
and has raised from 300 to 500 chickens every 
year, and a large number of other fowls. When 
our subject first came here he built a small house, 
which he replaced in 1888 by his present commo- 
dious and handsome residence, which, indeed, in 
point of architecture, neatness, tasty and convenient 
arrangements of the interior, is a model farmhouse, ' 




■*•■ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



435 , l 



besides 1 u-ini^ one of the most homelike homes in 
the community. The house is 26x28 feet in di- 
mensions, of an L shape, with a stone cellar, and is 
well supplied with all the modern appurtenances 
for making life comfortable. It is well furnished, 
and is well supplied with hooks, music and musical 
instruments, denoting the educated and refined 
tastes of the family. 

Mr. Becker is a man of marked decision of char- 
acter, is enlightened in his views, possesses an 
acute and observing mind, and being a great 
reader, is well informed on all topics of interest. 
He has taken part in public life, having until 
within a few years been an incumbent at different 
times of the various school offices in his precinct, 
and thus did much to further the cause of educa- 
tion. He has been solicited to take other civic 
otlices. but has refused to serve in any other capac- 
ity. During his residence in California Mr. 
Becker was active in public life, and he was one of 
the leaders of the Republican party in that section 
of the country after its formation, and helped to 
organize the first Republican Convention at Placer- 
ville, El Dorado County, and has been a delegate 
to various conventions since, remaining to this day 
a firm supporter of the party. He has always been 
a strong advocate of temperance, as is also his 
wife, and during their residence in California were 
both members of, and workers in the same lodge, 
even in the early days of his California life, in a 
whisky time and town, when a free use of intoxi- 
cating Liquors was the rule rather than the exception; 
he worked hard to form the Sons of Temper- 
ance Club, of which he held the different offices. 
His wife, son and daughter are Likewise strong ad- 
herents of the cause of temperance. 

' — -' £» - >^y^f ' < ■ ~ 



p^RANK II. TAYLOR. The Table Rock 
r-"VJ)' Argus came under the editorial and propri- 
[y etary control of Mr. Taylor on the ltth of 

May. 1887. since which time it has been recognized 

as among the leading newspapers of Pawnee County. 

Mr. Taylor is a Western man by birth ami breeding. 

bis native place having been Sturgis Prairie, St. 

Joseph Co.. Mich., where he first opened his eyes 



to the light Nov. .">. 1858. Five months later his 
parents returned cast ward as tar as Williams ( omit v, 
Ohio, where Frank II. sojourned until a young man 
of twenty-four years. 

Mr. Taylor acquired his early education in the 
common schools of the Buckeye State, and while 
still a youth began learning the art preservative in 
the office of the Bryan Press. He remained with 
his first employer two years, then migrated to 
Morris, 111., entiling the office of Gen. P. C. Haves, 
with whom he also remained two years. He then 
returned to Ohio, and at Delta engaged in the news- 
paper business as editor and proprietor of the Delta 
Avalanche, which he conducted a year or so, then 
returned to Bryan, and was with the Democrat of 
that place four years. 

During this period of his residence in Ohio our 
subject was united in marriage with Mrs. Marv A. 
Thomas, Dec. 31, 1882. Mrs. Taylor was born Aug. 
31, 1852, in Delaware County. Ohio. Soon after their 
marriage they set out for the West, and settled at 
Clarinda, Iowa, where he sojourned fifteen months. 
We next find Mr. Taylor as an employe of the Omaha 
EcintbUcan in this State, and from there he came 
to Table Rock in the spring of 1887and purchased 
the An/us. which under his successful management 
has become almost indispensable to the people of 
this region. Mr. Taylor is a man of much natural 
ability, and being genial ami companionable has 
made hosts of friends. He is straightforward in 
business transactions, and while doing his duty at 
the polls, and with his paper in behalf of Repub- 
lican principles, uniformly avoids the cares and re- 
sponsibilities of the office-holder. In religious 
matters he is connected with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and is a faithful laborer in the 
Sunday-school. 

William Taylor, the father of our Subject, was 
born in Van Wert County. Ohio, in Is.",;',, and re. 
mained a resident of his native Slate the greater 
part of his life, although sojourning fora time both 
in Michigan and Indiana. The parental family in- 
cluded three children, all of whom are living: 
William S. is a compositor on the An/us; Novilla A.. 
the wife of Samuel Diehl. and living in Bryan, ( >hio. 
The father, who was a farmer by occupation, on the 
outbreak of the Civil War indicated his patriotism 



•»Hh-«- 



+jU 



•4 



436 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



Hr 



by enlisting as a Union soldier in Company K. in 
an Ohio regiment. He proceeded with his com- 
rades to the front, where he was taken ill and sent 
home to die six weeks later. The bereaved mother 
was thus left with two young children, the third 
one having been born ten weeks after its father's 
death. 

The mother of our subject kept her little family 
together as best she could, and is still living, re- 
maining a widow and making her home at Bryan, 
Ohio. She was in her girlhood Miss Margaret 
Lewis, ami was born in Northampton County, Pa., 
Nov. 27, 1835. She removed to Ohio with her 
parents when quite young. Her father, Nathaniel 
Lewis, was a contractor and builder, and spent his 
last days at Bryan, Ohio, dying about 1859. 



.., BRAH AM SOVEREIGN, who is well known 
IB throughout Plum Creek Precinct and vi- 




cinity, although only a resident here of 
about three years' standing, has by his nat- 
ural abilities and excellent qualities as a man and 
a citizen, established himself in a prominent posi- 
tion among the leading men of his community. He 
is the owner of a valuable tract of land, finely lo- 
cated on section 1, upon which he is effecting all 
the modern improvements calculated to make it one 
of the most desirable country homes in the county. 
In these worthy efforts he is assisted Ijy his estima- 
ble wife, a lady of more than ordinary worth and 
intelligence, and who is his uniform helper and en- 
courager in all his worthy ambitions and enter- 
prises. Few homes are more pleasant or desirable, 
it being a place where both friend and stranger are 
welcomed with that cordial hospitality ever indica- 
tive of birth and breeding. 

Our subject received his first impressions of life 
in the picturesque regions of the Province of On- 
tario, Canada, having been born near the city of 
Hamilton, April 20, 1820. His father. John Sov- 
ereign, was a native of Essex County, N. J., and 
married Miss Julia Lefler, who, like her son, was a 
native of the Dominion and also born in Ontario. 
The paternal grandfather, David Sovereign, was 
born and reared in New Jersey, whence he removed 

4 * 



to Canada about 1798, being one of the first set- 
tlers of the Province of Ontario, where he occu 
pied himself in farming and spent his last days 
there. The great-grandfather of our subject was of 
German birth and ancestry, and upon coming to 
the United States located in New Jersey. The Lef- 
lers were also of German origin, and the maternal 
grandfather of our subject prosecuted farming in 
the Dominion the greater part of his life. 

John Sovereign, the father of our subject, was a 
lad ten years of age when his parents removed from 
New Jersey to Canada, and he assisted in driving a 
herd of cattle from the old to the new home. A 
200-acre farm was cleared from the wilderness and 
the Sovereigns became well-to-do, operating a saw- 
mill in connection with agriculture, and surround- 
ing themselves with all the comforts of life. When 
about twenty years of age John Sovereign served 
as a soldier in the War of 1812 in the British 
Army. Adjacent to the old home there grew up 
the town of Waterford, and there he looked his last 
upon the scenes of earth, passing away in 1S70, 
when over eight}' years of age. The mother of our 
subject died when only forty years old, in 1840. 
The parental family included ten children, namely : 
Isaac, who died when about seventeen years old ; 
Phebe, Mary; Abraham, our subject; Louis; Will- 
iam, who died at the age of thirty-five; Rufus, 
Frederick. Marion and Israel. Eight of these are 
now living, making their homes in the United States 
and Canada. 

Reared upon a farm, our subject grew up strong 
of muscle, healthy and active, and imbued with the 
principles which have formed the liasisof a charac- 
ter of more than ordinary worth. His assistance 
was required in the building up of the homestead, 
and he was thus deprived of extended school ad- 
vantages. When a youth of seventeen he left home 
and made his way to the vicinity of LaPorte, Ind., 
where he commenced farming for himself on rented 
land. Later he drifted into stock-raising, was suc- 
cessful, and became the owner of 130 acres, which 
he improved and continued to live upon until 18G0. 
Then selling out he removed to the vicinity of In- 
dependence in Buchanan County, Iowa, where he 
purchased an improved farm of 200 acres. This he 
sold in the fall of 18G4, and invested a portion of 



f 



•^"^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



^Mi 



437 



4 



the proceeds in a flouring-niill in Clinton Town- 
ship, LaPorte County. The year following he was 
married there, but in the spring of the year 1865 
sold this property also and made his arrange- 
ments to take up his abode in Grant Township, 
Caldwell Co., Mo. Here he purchased land to 
the amount of 500 acres, the greater part of which 
he cleared, brought the soil to a good state of cul- 
tivation, and engagsd largely in stock-raising. At 
the same time he effected modern improvements, 
putting up buildings and setting out fruit trees. 
He was not, however, yet satisfied with his sur- 
roundings, and accordingly in the spring of 1880 
left Missouri and came to this county, having pur- 
chased his present farm of 320 acres the year be- 
fore. Upon this also he has effected mainly all the 
improvements which have made it valuable. He has 
fenced and cross-fenced, turned every rod of the 
soil with the plowshare, and that which is not de- 
voted to pasturage yields in abundance the other 
rich products of Nebraska. He has an orchard of 
100 trees and the various other accessories of the 
well-regulated country homestead. Stock-raising 
forms a prominent feature of his operations, blooded 
Short-horn cattle, Clydesdale horses and Poland- 
China swine being his favorite breeds. In this in- 
dustry he excels, and often carries off the blue rib- 
I ii ins at the county fairs. 

The 2!)th of March, 18135. witnessed the mar- 
riage of our subject with Mrs. Eunice (Taber) 
Pitcher, widow of Alonzo Pitcher, by whom she 
had become the mother of one child, ason,ElryC, 
who is now in Breckenridge, Mo. Mrs. Sovereign 
was born at West Creek, Lake Co., Ind., Nov. 9, 
1 842, and removed afterward with her sister to 
Westville, where her marriage with our subject took 
place. Of this union there have been born seven 
children, namely: Schuyler C, Grant, Nettie, 
Leonard, Nellie, Myrtle and Fred. They arc all at 
home with their parents. 

The parents of Mrs. Sovereign were William D. 
and Eunice (Main) Taber, natives of New York 
State, and of English and Scotch descent. After 
marriage they settled in Pennsylvania, but not long 
afterward emigrated to Lake County, Ind., during 
the period of its early settlement. The mother died 
there in 1849, but the father remained with his 
««• 



children until the outbreak of the Civil War. Dur- 
ing the first year of the conflict he enlisted in an 
Indiana regiment as the attache of a wagon train, 
and died at Bardstown, Ky., in 1862. Both par- 
ents were members of the Christian Church. Their 
family included eight children, namely: Harriet, 
Dolly, William, Harvey, Hiram and Charlotte, the 
latter four deceased; Eunice and Sarah. The sur- 
vivors are residents of Indiana and Kansas. 

Mr. Sovereign, politically, is a Republican "dyed 
in the wool," and maintains his principles with all 
the natural strength of his character. He has served 
on the Grand and Petit Juries, officiated as Road 
Supervisor, is a member of the School Board of his 
district, and socially, belongs to the Masonic frater- 
nity, Kingston Lodge No. 118, in Missouri. His 
estimable wife is a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



■~t-+ J M&^r>~h 



« MLLIAM GRAVES LYMAN. The man 

LI who pushed his way across the Mississippi 
fflsy and Missouri Rivers into Nebraska twenty 
years ago or more, courageous enougb to experi- 
ment upon an uncultivated soil, risking his means, 
if he had any, and the best years of his life, can- 
not be given too much honor. To such spirits as 
these is Nebraska of to-day indebted for her stand- 
ing as one of the most important commonwealths 
west of the Father of Waters. She first welcomed 
to her soil the subjeel of this sketch on the 8th of 
March. 1867, he settling upon the land which he 
still owns and occupies, and where he has since 
lived. 

As the owner now of 32(1 broad acres, it is 
hardly necessary to state that the subject of this 
sketch, who began life for himself with but limited 
capital, spent during the earlier years of his resi- 
dence here few idle hours. That his perseverance 
and industry have resulted in the accumulation of a 
tine property is no more than he deserves, lie pur- 
chased at first 16(1 acres, for which he paid the sum 
of $120. Upon this he turned the first furrow, .-ind 
for the few years succeeding labored early and late 
in the opening up of a farm and bringing his land 
to a state of cultivation. He planted fruit and 




••» 



438 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



shade trees, and in due time added the other struc- 
tures and embellishments which increased the value 
of his property, while his land in due time yielded 
bounteously, so thai from the proceeds he was en- 
abled to make further purchases. 

Mr. Lyman sheltered himself in a dug-out the 
first few months of his residence here, and then 
put up a log house, which served as a dwelling 
until 1881. That year he completed his present 
residence, a large and commodious frame structure 
of imposing appearance and architectural beauty, 
which would grace a village or a town. lie has 
.■nailed himself of modern methods of agriculture, 
by the purchase of improved machinery, including 
a windmill, which conveys water to every point 
required, and which is not only a matter of con- 
venience, but the object of general admiration. 
Adjacent to the farm buildings is a tine apple or- 
chard, and there is an abundance of smaller fruit 
trees. The land is largely enclosed with* hedge 
fencing, ami the residence grounds are embellished 
with evergreens and shrubbery, Mr. Lyman of 
late years has devoted his attention largely to 
stock-raising, and feeds to cattle and swine most of 
the grain raised on the farm, lie began operations 
in this county when a youth of nineteen years, and 
with a capital of $800. He has been fortunate in 
his investments, ami able, like the man in the 
Scriptures, to increase his talent fourfold. 

The native place of our subject was Stephenson 
County, 111., where his birth took place Dec. 12, 
1847. He did not live there long enough, however, 
to retain any recollections of the place, his parents 
a few months later going to Joe Daviess County. 
There young Lyman lived until approaching man's 
estate, receiving a good practical education in the 
common school, and becoming familiar with agri- 
cultural pursuits. He migrated alone to Nebraska, 
settling in Table Rock Precinct before the forma- 
tion of the school districts. A man of more than 
ordinary intelligence, he was soon selected as the 
proper incumbent of the local offices, and was se- 
lected as a member of the School Board, Road Super- 
visor, and to other positions of trust and responsi- 
bility. Aside from these simple duties, he has 
avoided official preferment ami political affairs, al- 
• though interested in the success of the Republican 



fr 



party, and giving his vote uniformly in favor of 
its principles. 

On the 5th of duly, 1869, occurred one of the 
most important events in the life of Mr. Lyman, 
namely, his marriage with Miss Sophie L. Allen. 
This lady was born in Green County. Ivy., March 
29, 1849, and when a child of four years was taken 
by her parents to Sangamon County, 111., where 
they sojourned until 1865. The family then came 
to Nebraska Territory, and the father secured a 
tract of land in Table Rock Precinct, which is now 
the property of Mr. O. D. Howe. She lived with 
her parents until her marriage. Her father. Alex- 
ander Allen, a native of Kentucky, in early man- 
hood married Miss Mary E. Barrett, by whom he 
became the father of eight children. Of these seven 
are now living. Mr. Allen was a lifelong farmer. 
After sojourning a few years in Nebraska he 
changed his residence to Russell County, Kan., 
where his accidental death took place, his lifeless 
body having been found by the roadside, where it 
was evident he had been thrown from Ins buggy. 
The wife and mother had passed away some years 
prior to the death of her husband. Mr. Allen was 
a well-educated man, and had taught school con- 
siderably during his 3-ounger years. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Lyman there have been born 
three children — Edwin, Rufus A. and Addie S. They 
are all living at home with their parents, the oldest 
being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and the youngest son belonging to the Presby- 
terian ( 'lmrch. Of this latter Mrs. Lyman is also 
a member, while our subject belongs to the Meth- 
odist. The Lyman family is an emanation of New 
England, William G. Lyman, Sr., the father of our 
subject, having been born in Southampton. Mass.. 
June 8, 1812. He lived there until a young man 
twenty-two years old, then removed to Ohio, and 
thereafter spent considerable time traveling over 
different States, finally visiting Oregon. His last 
days were spent in Grant County, Ore., where his 
death took place Nov. 17. 1887. 

Mrs. Amity (Shaw) Lyman, the mother of our 
subject, was the sister of the well-known J. W . 
Shaw, of Table Rock Precinct, a history of whose 
family will be found in a sketch of the latter on 
another page of this work. To William G., Sr., 




"Residence o fC. F Frank. Sec.I.TableRoc k Precinct. 




N emaha Eagle Mills and Residence of Luthy Bros, Sec,1 SI. Sheridan Precinct 



■*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



411 



and Amity Lyman there were born three children, 
and the mother died when a young woman, in 
Wisconsin, at the age of twenty-seven years. She 
was the second wife of Mr. Lyman, and he was 
twice married after her decease, lie was the father 
of thirteen children and a lifelong farmer. The 
paternal grandfather of our subject was Iiufus Ly- 
man, also a native of Southampton, Mass. lie 
spent his last daj's in Massachusetts. 



- « > " ^=O s$-i 



€> 



(jF^ IMON LUTHY, joint proprietor with his 
^^£ brother John of Lulhy's "Nemaha Eagle 
(IL/JJ) Mills," Sheridan Precinct, is a progressive, 
public-spirited citizen, and as the head of 
one of the leading industries of this part of Pawnee 
County we are pleased to be able to represent him 
in this volume. He was born Jan. 12, 1845, in the 
city of Berne, Switzerland. His father, Christian 
Luthy, was likewise a native of that independent 
little Republic, and was born amid its beautiful 
scenes on Christmas Day in the year 1 790. He 
learned the carpenter's trade when young, and be- 
came a contractor and builder, carrying on his busi- 
ness in Berne, the capital city of his native land. 
He married Miss Magdalena Fankhauser, and to 
them came eight children, five sons and three daugh- 
ters, all of whom lived, and five of whom came to 
America. The father died Oct. 12,1862, and the 
mother, coming to this country, made her home 
witli our subject until her death, May 23, 1877. 

Our subject was the youngest of the family, and 
lie was carefully trained by wise and tender parents 
in all things that go to make a manly, useful, up- 
right life. He lived in the land of his nativity 
until he was twenty-four years of age, and in the 
meantime learned the trade of millwright, acquiring 
a thorough practical knowledge of it in all its de- 
tails. March 15, 1809, he left his old home and 
friends to try life in a new country, landing on 
these shores April 12. He immediately made his 
way to this State, and in Spicer Precinct, Richard- 
son County, purchased a tract of land from itsorgi- 
nal owner, and entered upon its improvement. He 
set out trees and an orchard, built necessary out 
■*• 



buildings, stables, corn-cribs, etc., besides bringing 
the land to an admirable state of tillage. He lived 
on that farm until 1878, when he came to this place, 
and with his brother John, and Fred Fankhauser, 
erected the first mill ever built in this part of Paw- 
nee County. In the beginning it was run as a saw- 
mill, and afterward as a Houring-mill, and had a 
capacity of fifty barrels a day, with a plentiful supply 
of water from the Nemaha. Our subject being a 
practical miller, is at the head of the business, which 
is now exclusively in the hands of himself and 
brother John and Fred Fankhauser, and has the en- 
tire management of it, overseeing all the work, and 
also has a miller under him. They buy their wheat 
directly from the farmers, thus making a good 
market for them. They formerly purchased about 
20,000 bushels annually, and now as much or more; 
also grinding rye, corn, oats, etc., as well as wheat. 
They have enlarged the capacity of their mill, and 
four years ago put in the machinery for the modern 
roller process, besides introducing all of the most ap- 
proved latest improvements for cleaning the wheat, 
brushing it, and for other purposes, so that their 
mill is conceded to be one of the best fitted up of 
its class to be found in the county. They manu- 
facture the celebrated O. K. roller process flour, ac- 
knowledged to be one of the best brands on the 
market, and it is shipped to the various towns, far 
and near, it having a reputation that will sell all 
they can manufacture. Mr. Luthy owns other prop- 
erty besides his share in the mill, he having an in- 
terest in the farm first bought by himself and 
brother, it now comprising 240 acres of land under 
good improvement, well stocked, and in fine shape. 
October G, 1887, our subject and Miss Magdalena 
Lionberger were united in marriage, and of their 
pleasant wedded life one child has been born, Simon, 
Jr. Mrs. Luthy was born in Switzerland, in May, 
I860, a daughter of Peter L. and Elizabeth Lion- 
berger. She came to America in 1884, her father 
coming two years later, and she lived in Richard- 
son County until her marriage. 

Mr. Luthy has obtained an enviable financial and 
business success by legitimate methods, and his credit 
is of the highest order witli all with whom he has 
dealings. His rectitude of purpose and integrity in 
act are well-known characteristics. lie is a promi- 



+-if^- 



*t 



442 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4- 



nent factor in everything pertaining to the present 
and future welfare of his community, and uses his 
influence and means to promote all beneficial schemes 
for its advancement. Religiously, he is a member 
of the Evangelical Church. Politically, he usually 
votes with the Democrats, although he is by no 
means bound by party ties, but always supports the 
best man. On another page of this volume will be 
found a view of the Eagle Mills of our subject and 
his partners, and also his residence. 






OHN LUTHY. As a genuine representative 
of the pioneer element of Nebraska^ the sub- 
ject of this record is deserving of more than 

'Ml a passing mention. He represents a good 
farm property on section 12, Sheridan Precinct, this 
comprising 240 acres, thoroughly improved and 
supplied with substantial buildings. Mr. L. came 
to Nebraska' in July, 1867, and three years later 
purchased a partially improved farm in company 
with his brother, and there he lived until changing 
his home to this county in the fall of 1878, when 
he moved to his present residence. He is also a 
blacksmith bj T trade, and assisted in putting in the 
Eagle Mills, which have obtained an enviable repu- 
tation for the excellence of their product, and re- 
ceive the patronage of the best residents of this 
section. Of this mill Mr. L. is now part owner, 
and, as may be supposed, from this source and his 
farming interests enjoys a comfortable income. 

Our subject was born in the city of Berne, Swit- 
zerland, May 31, 1840, and lived there until a man 
of twenty-seven years. Upon emigrating to Amer- 
ica he came directly to Nebraska, and for a time 
employed himself as a blacksmith. He was married 
in Richardson County, Neb., June 22, 1877, to Miss 
Rosanna Fankhauser. They are the parents of five 
children, only three of whom are living, namely: 
John, Minnie and Sophia. Mrs. Luthy is also a na- 
tive of Switzerland, and was born in the canton of 
Berne, May 16, 1845. She came to the United 
States with her parents when quite young, they set- 
tling in Fulton County, Ohio, where her father car- 



ried on farming, and where both parents spent the 
remainder of their days. 

Our subject upon becoming a naturalized citizen 
identified* himself with. the Democratic party, and 
in religious matters is connected with the Evangeli- 
cal Church. He is a thorough and skillful farmer, 
and as a man and citizen has made for himself an 
excellent reputation among his fellow-townsmen, 
being highly spoken of, and one whose word is con- 
sidered as good as his bond. He has labored early 
and late in the building up of his homestead, and 
has in this manner contributed to the general pros- 
perity of Sheridan Precinct. 

The mill and other property of our subject is 
shown on another page. 



ft- 

%J this 



CHRISTIAN F.FRANK. Too much praise 
mot be accorded the early pioneers of 
count}', who, with their strong hands 
and courageous hearts, mainly their only capital, 
pushed their way toward the frontier, and were 
willing to risk years of labor in the development 
of a portion of the Great West. The Frank family 
were among the first of these, and have left their 
impress most decidedly in Pawnee County. The 
subject of this sketch settled in Table Rock Pre- 
cinct, upon a tract of raw prairie, where he con- 
tinued -to remain through every discouragement 
and drawback, and is now numbered among the 
moneyed men and land-holders of this section. His 
estate embraces 480 acres, 240 acres of which are in 
Richardson County. He has a comfortable home 
on section 1, Table Rock Precinct, which, with its 
buildings and appurtenances, forms one of the most 
attractive resorts within its borders. 

It was over thirty-one years ago that Mr. Frank 
first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska, in Septem- 
ber, 1857. A short time afterward he located upon 
eighty acres of land when there was scarcely a white 
man within sight, but Indians were plentiful, roam- 
ing over the country, intent frequently on mischief. 
Wild game was plentiful, and his house was the 



T 



-*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



^hLh 



443 - > 



-r 



nearest to Blacklaw's Mill, eight miles away on the 
Nemaha River. The loneliness of the outlook can 
better be imagined than described, but the men 
who thus came to this far-away region were made 
of that stuff which seldom admitted of any such 
word as fail, and Mr. Frank has been no exception to 
this rule. He commenced the improvement of his 
land, living in the most economical manner, and 
laboring several seasons, before he could discover 
much change in his circumstances. 

In due time, however, the soil began to respond 
to the labors of the agriculturist, and our subject 
reaped encouragement from the outlook. Here 
and there other adventurous emigrants were settling 
around him, and in due time it became necessary 
to provide for the education of the children. Mr. 
Frank assisted in the organization of the first 
school district in the precinct, and also in the erec- 
tion of the building. This process was gone 
through with several times as the districts were re- 
duced in territory, in order to make room for 
more buildings. He contributed quite a sum of 
money in order to have a school-house in the 
neighborhood of his own farm, so that his children 
could reap the benefits thereof. 

As may lie readily guessed, the enterprise of 
Mr. Frank received due recognition from his neigh- 
bors, and he was at an early date selected to posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility. He was one of 
the first Directors in his school district, in which 
position he has served continuously since. Other- 
wise he has avoided becoming an office-holder, but 
is a stanch Republican, politically, and never fails 
to perform his duty as a voter. He has been a 
capable business man, a thorough and skillful far- 
mer, and one whose integrity is unimpeachable. 
When we reflect upon the fact that he came to this 
county with a capital of only $10 in his pocket, and 
a family upon his hands, and that he is now one of 
the wealthy and prominent men of this region, it 
cannot be denied that he has done well. He was, 
as it may be supposed, obliged to run into debt for 
his first land, but with phenomenal perseverance he 
labored from year to year, and furnishes one of the 
Quest illustrations of a self-made man, and one who 
is essentially the architect of his own fortune. 
The family lived in a log house for a number of 



years until Mr. Frank could build a more perma- 
nent structure. The present residence was com- 
pleted in 1868, and the fact that it still remains in 
a good state of preservation, after a lapse of twenty 
years, is indicative of its solidity of architecture. 
Later he put up a good barn, corn cribs and sheds, 
planted forest and fruit trees, and has everything 
about the premises for the well-being and comfort 
of his family. In time he branched off into stock- 
raising, reaping from this industry ample returns. 
He thus labored early and late a period of twenty 
years, but in the fall of 1888 sold off his stock, 
rented his farm, and is now living wisely- retired 
from active labor, lie has been for many years an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
contributing liberally toward its support. Both in 
social and business circles he is welcomed as a rep- 
resentative man of his county, one who has been 
no unimportant factor in raising it to its present 
condition of prosperity. 

The reader will not be surprised to learn that this 
representative of thrift and prudence is of stanch 
German ancestry, and was himself born in the 
Province of Pomerania, Prussia, Feb. 24, 1824. 
He lived in his native country until a man thirty- 
five years of age, and upon coming to America 
settled first in Jefferson County, Wis. A year and 
a half later he came to Nebraska, in company with 
William and Gottfried Burow, his brothers-in-law; 
a sketch of the latter appears elsewhere in this 
work. Mr. Frank was married in his native Province 
to Miss Johanna Louise Burow, Oct. 1 1, 1846, and 
they became the parents of ten children, of whom 
the following are living: Their eldest son, August 
Frank, married Miss Mary Beckman, and is a resi- 
dent of Humboldt, where he is engaged in general 
merchandising; William F. married Miss Hester 
Smith, and is farming in Richardson County; Jo- 
hanna married William Friday, who is a well-to-do 
farmer of Table Rock Precinct; Wilhelmina mar- 
ried Henry Schmelzel, and they have one son, Wal- 
ter Edwin. Augusta, Carl Henry and Wilhelmina are 
at home with their father. 

Mrs. Johanna Louise Frank was born in the 

Province of Pomerania, Prussia, Jan. 12, 1823, and 

departed this life at the homestead in Table Rock 

Precinct. April 2, 1886. She was a kind mother, a 

. — »►_ 



•►Hf^ 



1 ' 444 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



~T 



devoted wife, a generous neighbor, and in her death 
her family not only sustained an irreparable loss, 
but she was mourned by all who knew her. 

A fine lithographic view of the handsome home 
of Mr. Frank is shown elsewhere in this work. 



p^> DWARD A. HANSEN, one of the pioneer 

^) settlers of Sheridan Precinct, is now one of 
jV^ 1 its most intelligent, progressive and suc- 
cessful farmers and stock-raisers. He has a com- 
fortable, well-appointed home on section 3, and 
his farm of 240 acres on sections 2, 3 and 11, 
neatly hedged and fenced, with its carefully tilled, 
highly productive soil, substantial buildings, and 
all the needed appliances for carrying on agricult- 
ure, is one of the most desirable estates in this lo- 
cality. Mr. Hansen has accumulated his property 
since coming to Nebraska twenty-eight year.- ago, 
as at that time his finances were at a very low mark, 
and that he is now in good circumstances he owes 
solely to his capacity for labor, his sound judg- 
ment, and an indomitable will thai enabled him to 
surmount all obstacles that usually beset the path 
of the pioneer. 

Our subject was born near Gothenburg, Sweden, 
June 26, 1831, being one of a family of seven chil- 
dren, two of whom are now in America, one 
having returned to his native land. His father was 
Hans Anderson. (In Sweden the children take their 
surname from their father's given name, hence his 
father's name was Hans Anderson.) Hans Ander- 
son and hi- wife wen' lifelong residents of that 
country, dying there in the prime of life, the 
father in 1840 and the mother the year following. 
Thus at the tender age of ten years our subject 
was deprived of the care of his natural guardians, 
lie managed to acquire a good education, and at 
the age of nineteen, in the year 1850, shipped on 
board the sailing-vessel "Paranenus" as ship car- 
penter, which was quite a profitable position. 
When about half way across the Atlantic a terrible 
storm was encountered and the ship was wrecked, 
apparently on purpose, as the master crowded on 
all the sails when other slops had theirs close 
eefed. The ship went to pieces anil went down. 



and our subject was saved by an American ship. 
That bitter experience gave our subject a distaste 
for a seafaring life, and after he had landed on 
these shores he concluded to try life in this coun- 
try. He had been in New York but one day when 
he met a man who asked him if he would like to 
live on a farm. His companion acted as interpre- 
ter, and through him he made arrangements to ac- 
company the stranger to his home in Columbia 
County. X. Y.. where he was treated with great 
kindne-s and consideration, but for more than a 
year the family knew not his story or whence he 
came. He had not been there more than a year 
before his ability and trustworthiness gained him 
the full confidence of hi- employer, who made him 
a sort of an overseer of the farm, giving him full 
charge of the affairs, he hiring the hands, paying. 
them off, etc. Wishing to gain a 1 letter knowledge 
of the English language and to Improve his edu- 
cation, he attended school in the winter, at the 
same time working for $12 a month, lie peddled 
milk for three. years, from six to twelve cows, at 
Chatham's Corners. He subsequently left New 
York for Wisconsin, where he turned his attention 
to farming on his own account, and bought a 
trad of eighty acres of land. He worked steadily 
to improve a farm, but at the end of three years 
sought to improve his finances in Missouri. He lived 
there a year and a half, and then he and his brother- 
in-law, Jacob Benjamin, came here in 1861, driving- 
all the way from Clinton County. Mo., being on the 
road ten days, and arriving here on the 24th day 
of October. Mr. Hansen had but very little 
money, and after buying and partly paying for 
a partly improved farm, eighteen acres of which 
were broken, paying :\ -si'iio mortgage and $25 for 
the Crops, he had but titty cents to his name. He 
had a good knowledge of carpentering and wagon- 
making, and he put it to good use to earn money 
to finish his payments, lie lived in Table Rock 
for one year, ami then began to make needed im- 
provements on his farm. He set out a good or- 
chard that has been in bearing for several years, 
and broke more of his land and put it under culti- 
vation, but in 1866 the grasshoppers made a rail 
with disastrous results. Notwithstanding this ca- 
lamity he persevered with good courage, and from 



f 



•4^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



I 15 



4 



time t<> time has been able to increase the acreage 
of his farm by farther purchases, and has added to 
his stock until he has a Bne farm and a good lot of 
graded stuck. 

Mr. Hansen has had the encouragement and as- 
sistance of a good mikI capable wife, to whom he 
was united in marriage in Clinton County. Mo., 
Sept. 2. I860. The following is recorded of the 
seven children who have Messed their union: Al- 
bert F. was born Dee. ."., 1861; Ada R., duly 11. 
1863; Willard. Dec. i:i. [864; Anna Belle, Sept. 
24, 1866; Alfred, Aug. 25, 1868; Calvin, dune 1, 
1872; Lawrence. Aug. 2d. l*7f!. Albert was mar- 
ried Oct. 2(i. 18.S2; Anna was married dan. 2!b 
1885, to L. Fellers, of this precinct; they have One 
little girl, Nellie I... and lost a little girl Dec. 23, 
1888. Ada married Osmond Fellers, of Pawnee 
Precinct. 

.Mrs. Hansen's maiden name was Alii Bloom, and 
She was born in Clinton County. Ohio, duly 11. 
L84S. Her father. John Bloom, was a native of 
New Jersey, and was horn in 1809. Uv went to 
Ohio in early manhood, and there married Miss 
Rebecca Downing. She was horn in Kentucky in 
1810, and when three years of age her parents took 
her to Ohio, of which they thus became early set- 
tlers, and .Mr. Downing cut out a farm for himself 
from the timber. .Mr. Bloom was a farmer, and 
when his daughter Mrs. Hansen was lint six weeks 
old he moved from Ohio to Allegan County, Mich., 
to what is now Plainwell. and there spent the re- 
maining years of his life, dying in I«.">2. AX' lien 
Mrs. Hansen was fourteen years old her mother 
moved from Michigan with her family to Missouri; 
she subsequently came to Nebraska, and makes her 
home with Mrs. Hansen. To her and her husband 
were born nine children, seven of whom lived to 
maturity. Mrs. Hansen's grandfather, Willi:, in 
Bloom, was one of the founders of the state of 

Ohio, having moved there at an early date, and he 

thers siicnt the remainder of his life. He reared a 

family of eight children. 

Mr. Hansen has done much to advance the de- 
velopment of Pawnee County, and of this pari of 

it in particular, which he found in a very wild 
condition when he first set foot upon these prairies. 
There were no roads or bridges, and he aided in 

4* 



building them, lie helped tolmild the first bridge 
that was ever built across tin- Nemaha in this 
vicinity; it was of pine lumber, which was drawn 
from Brownville. Mr. Hansen helped to organize 
this school district, No. :>2. and held the office of 
first Moderator in it, ami has been Director of the 
school for six years, and has held some office on the 

Boardof Education for several years. He helped to 
hire the first teacher, there being quite a number of 

Scholars here at the time, and a log school-house was 
erected two and one-half miles south of here SO as 
to accommodate the greatest number of children 
possible. Mr. Hansen heartily supports the policy 
of the Republican party by voice and vote, al- 
though he avoids politics asa general thing. While 
in his native Sweden he belonged to the Lutheran 
Church, but since coming to this country has 
identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which his family are also members. He 
has made for himself an enduring reputation among 
his fellowmen as one whose every transaction is 
in strict accordance with honor and honesty, and 
he is invaluable as a citizen, doing all in his power 
to promote the highest interests of this community. 
He and his family are well-informed people, being 
fond of good reading, and their home is rendered 
pleasant and attractive by the true courtesy and 
geniality of its inmates. 



>-~y IMliOD and JOHN E. REISER. The father 
111 and son herewith written of are gentleman 
22j) about equally well known throughout Ta- 
ble Hock Precinct, the elder being a man of much 
influence and force of character, and the younger, 
of line natural abilities, which are being developed 
through his sensible process of noting what is go- 
ing on around him in the world, and making the 
most of his opportunities for acquiring useful 
information. They live together at a snug home- 
stead on section 13, in Table Rock Precinct, the 
estate comprising 240 acres of finely cultivated 

land with i Icrn improvements. 

Nimrod Reiser was one of the earliest settlers of 
this county, coming to this region during the fall 
of 1865. He located on the Little Muddy, but the 



^■^ 



J= 



446 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



summer following removed to the land which he 
now owns and occupies, and which, it is hardly nec- 
essary t<> say. bore a wide contrast to its present 
condition. The land was then entirely new and 
uncultivated. Mr. K., in the spring of 1*66, pur- 
chased 160 acres, including thirty-five acres of 
timber, paying therefor §70(1. lie himself turned 
the first furrow, taking possession of the place in 
the spring of 1866. He rented a cabin for two 
winters, and during that time put up a dwelling on 
his own land, drawing his lumber laboriously from 
Hillsdale, on the Missouri River, and making the 
trip in two days. Pine lumber was worth |40 per 
1,000. The nearest market was Brownville, and 
to that point Mr. Reiser hauled his grain and 
other produce. Later he visited Aspinwall and 
Peru on the same errand. 

The new farm of Mr. Keiser was for the first few- 
years devoted to grain, but later he commenced 
stock-raising. It was by no means all smooth 
sailing, as the grasshoppers destroyed the crops of 
two seasons, and he then had to haul provender 
from Brownville for his stock. He has found live 
stock to be about the most profitable of industries, 
and still follows it, feeding the most of his corn to 
his cattle and swine. The farm, neatly enclosed 
with hedge fencing, well trimmed, presents a beau- 
tiful appearance. Our subject has availed himself 
of improved machinery, including a fine wind- 
mill, by which means water is conveyed to any 
part desired. Each year adds something to the 
beauty and value of the property. 

.Mr. Keiser arrived in Table Pock Precinct in 
time to assist in the organization of the first school 
district, in 1879, and he was the first Treasurer. 
He was one of the movers in this scheme, it being 
first agitated during a neighborly visit by himself 
and a neighbor, Mr. Hays, who is written of else- 
where in this work. The first school was con- 
ducted in an old Cottonwood shanty, the teacher 
being a Miss Julia Ferguson. Prior to this, how- 
ever, the children of our subject were sent to the 
Cooper School, over in Richardson County, for 
which privilege payment had to be made. 

Mr. Keiser has been a member of the School 
Board in his precinct since that time, and has filled 
other positions of trust and responsibility among 



his neighbors, although he is no office-seeker, and 
aside from serving his own immediate community 
has carefully avoided the responsibilities of public 
life. He was not quite old enough to vote for 
William II. Harrison, but sixteen years later identi- 
fied himself with the Republican party, of which 
he lias since been a member. lie has also been 
identified with the Grange movement. He and his 
estimable wife are both members in good standing 
of the Christian Church. No man has taken a 
wanner interest in the growth and development of 
Pawnee County, and Nebraska generally. He was 
one of the prime movers in forming the petition to 
open four miles of the road now passing by his 
farm to the Nemaha, and which is one of the most 
popular highways of the county. 

Nimrod Keiser was born in Greene County, Pa., 
March 24, 1824, and lived there until a young man 
twenty-three years old. He then started out on 
his first expedition of importance, accompanying 
the Long Brothers from Ohio to Philadelphia and 
New York City, assisting them in driving cattle. 
He remained with these gentlemen seven years, 
then visited Illinois as a cattle dealer, and was so 
well pleased with the outlook in the Prairie State 
that he finally settled down in Morgan County, 
and followed the trade of carpenter, which he had 
learned in his native State. Later, however, he 
returned to the cattle business as the employe of 
Jacob Strawn. having the charge of a very large 
herd for a period of three years. At the expira- 
tion of this time he was married, and followed his 
trade until coming to Nebraska. 

The marriage of Nimrod Keiser and Miss Mary 
E. Martin was celebrated at the bride's home in 
Morgan County, 111., April 14, 1857. This union 
resulted in the birth of ten children, five of whom 
are living, namely: Preston, Isabelle. Melinda .1., 
John E. and Olive Ann. Two only are at home with 
their parents — John E. and olive A. They were 
all given a good practical education, and reflect 
honor upon their parental training. Preston mar- 
ried Miss Alice Davis, is a resident of Richardson 
County, and the father of one child, Ernest E.; 
Isabelle is the wife of Theo. Hall, of Table Rock 
Precinct, and the mother of one child, a son, 
Roy; Melinda J. married Hardin W. Hays, who is 




f 






PAWNEE COUNTY. 



447 



*t 



farming on land south of the Keiser homestead. 

The Keiser family is highly spoken of by the resi- 
dents of Table Rock Precinct, and this is sufficient 
indication of their standing. '1'he son, John E., 
has been Road Supervisor of his precinct for the 
last- year, and has given good satisfaction. He is 
liberal and public-spirited, and is bound to make 
his mark in the world, lie was born in Pawnee 
County, Table Rock Precinct, April 1. 1866, and 
look kindly to his books at school, acquiring a 
practical education, while bis habit of reading and 
thought will suffice to make him generally well in- 
formed upon passing events of interest to every 
intelligent citizen. The family live in excellent 
style, being provided with all the comforts and 
many of the luxuries of life. 

Mrs. Mary E. (Martin) Keiser was born in Jessa- 
mine County. Ky., Jan. 22. is:!.'!, and removed with 
her parents when a small child to .Morgan County, 
111. Her father, Preston Martin, was a native of 
Virginia, born about 1808. He left the Old Do- 
minion when a young man, taking up his abode in 
the Blue Grass regions, and was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Burks. They became the parents of nine 
children, three of whom died when young. Six are 
still living. The family removed to Morgan 
County. HI., about 181(1, and were residents of Illi- 
nois a period of twenty-four years, coming thence 
to Nebraska. The father took up a tract of land, 
in 1864, on the Little .Muddy, in Richardson 
County, and lived thereuntil the deatli of his wife, 
in April, 187'J. Two years later he sold out, and 
thereafter made his home with his children until 
his death. Dec. 9, 1887. lie was a good man in the 
broadest sense of the term, conscientious in the 
performance of every duty, and respected by his 
neighbors. 

The father of Nimrod Keiser was John Keiser. a 
native of Pennsylvania, and born in 1798. He was 
a millwright by trade, and spent his entire life in 
his native State, traveling nearly all over it in the 
pursuance of his trade. He married Miss Hannah 
Brown, and they became the parents of two chil- 
dren, Nimrod and John. Jr. His first wife died, and 
he was then married to a Miss Dillener. He finally 
removed to Fayette County, Pa., where he spent his 
last days, his death occurring about 1805. When 

4> — 




Mr. Keiser came to this section none of the up- 
lands were improved, only a small spot here and 
there along the streams. Deer, wild game of all 
kinds, and wolves were plentiful. In assisting to 
subdue a portion of the primitive soil, and in the 
construction of one of the best homesteads in this 

county. Mr. Keiser has t tributed his fidl quota 

to its development and prosperity. In politics he 
is a stanch Republican. 

ENRY FREEMAN, Justice of the Peace, 

insurance, real-estate agent and convey- 
ancer, office corner of Luzerne and Huston 
streets, is one of the foremost citizens of 
Table Rock, and to his enterprise and business 
ability is the city greatly indebted for its present 
prosperous and nourishing condition. He was one 
of the early settlers of Pawnee County, and for 
some years was an active factor in developing its 
vast agricultural resources. 

Mr. Freeman was born in Huntingdon County, 
Pa., Jan. 17, 1817. His father, Adam Freeman, 
was born in Lancaster County, that State, about 
1782, and spent the whole of his life in his native 
State, dying in 1846, at the age of sixty-four years. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Matilda McQuil- 
len, and to whom he was united in marriage in 1816, 
died in 1867, aged sixty-nine. During the latter 
part of his life he was a farmer. He and his wife 
were members of the Lutheran Church, were highly 
respected Christian people, and both died in the 
triumph of their living faith. 

Our subject was one of a family of ten children 
reared by his parents, and he remained an inmate of 
the parental household until he was twenty-one years 
of age, when he began an independent life for him- 
self. He took up his residence in Center County, 
Pa., and there married Miss Eleanor Chaney. She 
was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., Sept. 5, 1821, 
and her father, Gilbert Chaney, was also a native 
of that county. The latter was a farmer and a black- 
smith, and always resided in his native State. He 
and his wife reared a family of six children. The 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman has been blessed to 
them by the birth of ten children, eight of whom 



-^ ■/ g , 



-•* 



448 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



~h 




are living, all of whom but Harry, the youngest, 

are married and settled in life, and our subject and 
his wife rejoice in being the grandpa and grandma 
of twenty-four grandchildren. The following is 
recorded of their children: Jane E. married A. J. 
Sweitzer, of Clarion County, Pa., and they have eight 
children living; John Wesley, now of Grand Island, 
Neb., married Miss Maggie Hasok, of Clarion 
County, Pa., and they have five children ; Nancy 
married Charles Murphy, of Grand Island, Neb., 
and they have three children ; Sarah married Jacob 
Leaman, a farmer of Pawnee County, and they 
have five children; Gilbert married Miss Frank ie 
Tate, of this county; Rachel married A. E. Lane, 
of Pawnee County, and they have two children ; 
William II., a resident of this town, married Eva 
Eellers, and they have one child. 

Mr. Freeman first engaged in iron ore mining after 
starting in life for himself, and was superintendent of 
a mine for three years after marriage. At the ex- 
piration of that time he moved to Clarion County, 
Pa., and was engaged in the public works for some 
time. He then decided to try his fortunes in the 
young State of Nebraska, and, accompanied by his 
family, he embarked on a boat at Pittsburgh, Pa., 
and came as far as Nemaha City by water. He there 
bought an ox-team and drove to his destination in 
Table Rock Precinct, arriving here May 2, 1868. 
He immediately took up a homestead on section 10, 
comprising 120 acres. When he came there were 
very few people living here, not more than fifty 
men in the entire precinct, and the mail came 
through here twice a week from Brownville to Bea- 
trice. The name of the township was derived from 
a large rock on the Nemaha, still to be seen on the 
farm of John Blacklaw, said rock or boulder stand- 
ing about ten feet high, and on this foundation is a 
perfectly flat, nearly circular stone, ten feet in di- 
ameter, resting on three legs, each four feet in 
height. 

Mr. Freeman's land was wild prairie, with not a 
tree growing on it and not a furrow turned. lie 
put up a tent in which his family found shelter for 
four months, and he then built a dug-out, which was 
warm and comfortable, and in that they lived until 
Mr. Freeman erected a substantial house, drawing 
the lumber therefor with an ox-team from Rulo. 



In the meantime he improved his farm, breaking 
thirty acres of it the first year, fenced the farm and 
introduced stock-raising. When he sold that place 
he had a good forest, orchard, and plenty of small 
fruits, with many other valuable improvements. 
He lived on that farm until 1873, then rented an- 
other farm and went into farming and stock-raising 
more extensively. In 1877 he sold out and moved 
into Table Rock, having previously finished and 
furnished a cozy home, and established himself in. 
his present business, which he is conducting very 
successfully. 

Since becoming a resident of the city Mr. Free- 
man has been closely identified with the civic gov- 
ernment, has been City Clerk for four or five years, 
Trustee for one year, and has held the office of 
Justice of the Peace for eight years. He and his 
estimable wife are connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and are ever active in its good 
works. Mr. Freeman has always displayed com- 
mendable public spirit, and has used his influence 
to promote the various schemes to advance the wel- 
fare of the city. He was largely instrumental in 
securing the passage of the railway through here, 
and in many other ways has contributed to increase 
the prosperity of the city. He is a man of large 
heart and generous mind, and all of his fellow-citi- 
zens unite in testifying to his genuine worth of 
character. In politics he is a stanch Republican. 



fiTOIIN C. ATKINSON. The sturdy English 
farmer has not been behind the other na- 
tionalities in discovering the resources of 
the great State of Nebraska, and the gentle- 
man to whose record we thus call attention is one 
of the most worthy representatives of his country- 
men. A native of Yorkshire, he was born July 27, 
1834, and was the fifth in a family of eight chil- 
dren, five sons and three daughters, the offspringof 
Richard and Mary (Nelson) Atkinson, who were 
born respectively in 1803 and 1801, and were 
of pure English ancestry. The father was a stone- 
mason by trade and also engaged in farming. Not 
satisfied, however, with his condition upon his na- 
tive soil he, in 1843, started with his family for 



f 



-4^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 






4 



America. After a long voyage on a sailing-vessel, 
our subject then being a little lad nine years of 
age, they arrived safely in New York City, and 
thence proceeded to Champaign County, Ohio. 

The Atkinson family settled upon a tract of land 
in the above-named county, upon which the father 
operated under many discouragements until 1847, 
then resolved to push further westward, and SO 
sought the pioneer regions of Green County, Wis. 
He operated there more successfully as a tiller of 
the soil, and there with his excellent wife spent his 
last days. The mother departed hence Oct. 20, 
1885, and the father followed in 1887. They were 
the parents of eight children. 

The education of our subject was begun in the 
district schools of Champaign County, Ohio, and 
was completed in Green County, Wis., where he 
grew to man's estate. He was married when twen- 
ty-seven years of age, April 14, 1861, to Miss 
Polly R; Peckham, a native of New York State, 
but at that time a resident of Green County, Wis. 
Mrs. A. was born Nov. 18, 1839, and was the 
daughter of Abel and Ada (Brown) Peckham. 
The father spent his last years in Wisconsin. The 
mother is still living, at the advanced age of eighty- 
eight years. Our subject after marriage settled 
upon a farm in Green County, where he labored 
until 18G5, then removed to Black Hawk County, 
Iowa. In the latter he made a specialty of sheep- 
raising. Still not satisfied with his surroundings, 
he pushed on further toward the setting sun, and 
finally made his last rendezvous in Clear Creek Pre- 
cinct, this county. He first homesteaded 160 acres, 
which he occupied seven years, then sold and pur- 
chased his present farm. This comprises 5G0 acres 
and lies one mile northwest of Pawnee City. At 
the time he located here there had been no attempt 
whatever at improvement on the land, and conse- 
quently the buildings, the forest and fruit trees, 
and the other improvements characterizing the com- 
plete modern homestead, are the result of his own 
industry. 

Mr. Atkinson has made a large portion of his 
money by stock-raising, keeping usually a herd 
of 400 head of cattle, twenty horses and 100 
swine. He has made a study of this industry with 
results that should be eminently satisfactory. His 

«• 



family consists of a most estimable wife and seven 
children, one child having died at the age of five 
years. The survivors form an intelligent and in- 
teresting group, and are named respectively : John 
E., Jennie A., Annie L., Charles A., Estelle, Maude 
and Jessie I). Jennie A. is the wife of J. II. Con- 
over. The wedding took place in Box Butte 
County, Neb., Nov. 28, 1888, where she had taken 
a homestead, and was residing on the same at the 
time of her marriage. 

Mr. Atkinson upon becoming a voting citizen, 
identified himself with the Republican party, to 
which he gives his undivided support. lie has 
served bis precinct as Road Supervisor, and also as 
School Director for many years. He is the scion 
of a sturdy race, and his paternal grandparents were 
Thomas and Ellen (Richmond) Atkinson, who spent 
their entire lives upon their native soil of York- 
shire, England. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. 
A. is well remembered by her, and spent the closing 
yearsof his life in Illinois. In addition to the home 
farm Mr. A. owns 240 acres in Miles Precinct, this 
county. 



BRAIIAM V. MANLEY. The month of 
August, 18G(), witnessed the first arrival of 
Mr. Manley in this county, and although 
the prospect before him was anything but 
inviting, "be had come to stay." and made his ar- 
rangements accordingly, lie found himself with 
plenty of room — a large open stretch of prairie all to 
himself and his little family — and he proceeded first 
to erect a shelter in the shape of a log house. In the 
meantime they slept under the canvas of the cov- 
ered wagon. Twenty years have worked a vast 
change not only in the face of the country but ill 
the. circumstances of our subject, lie occupies an 
honorable place among the pioneers of PawnTee 
County, socially and financially, and as Such is en- 
titled to prominent mention in (his work. 

The town of Clinton. Ripley Co.. End., was the 
native place of our subject, and the date of his 
birth Oct, II, 1849. lli> father was Martin Man- 
ley, a New Englander by birth and training, born 
near the city of Montpelier, Vt.,in 1801. lie mar- 
ried Miss Huldah I In I ford, who was ten years his 




*+JU> 



-fr 



450 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



^h-«. 



junior, having been born in 1811, in New York. 
The paternal grandfather, James Manley, also a na- 
tive of the Green Mountain State, followed farming 
there during the younger years of his life, but in 
1811 emigrated to the young State of Ohio, locat- 
ing near what is now Cicero, in Hancock County. 
Two years later, however, he pushed on further 
westward to Indiana, and located in Ripley County, 
being one of its first settlers. He took up 160 acres 
of land, from which he constructed a good farm, 
and where he spent the remainder of his life, pass- 
ing away in 1854. 

The great-grandfather of our subject was also a 
native of Vermont, and the son of an English gen- 
tleman, who emigrated to America during the Co- 
lonial times, and carried a musket in the Revolu- 
tionary War. being then an old man. After the 
Colonists had achieved their independence he re- 
turned to Vermont, engaged in farming, and died 
there at the age of eighty years. On the mother's 
side. Grandfather Alex. Halford was born in New 
York State, where he engaged in farming in early 
life, but in 1813 removed to Ohio. lie purchased 
a tract of wild land in Muskingum County, but two 
years later, upon the outbreak of the Indian wars 
on the frontier, removed to Dearborn County, Ind.. 
and located upon a tract of land. This he left in 
1820, starting South with his family on a boat, and. 
was never afterward heard from. 

The maternal great-grandfather of our subject 
was American born, but of Scotch descent. Martin 
.Manley, the father of our subject, was twelve years 
of age when his parents removed to Ohio. He ac- 
companied them to Ripley County, Ind.. assisted in 
the opening up a farm, and lived in that State until 
1865, in the meantime being married and becoming 
the father of a family. That year he sold out and 
took up his abode on a small farm in Crawford 
County. 111. He only survived this removal one 
year, dying in 1866. The mother afterward made 
her home with her daughter and son, and died in 
Kentucky, in 1874. She was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The parental family of our subject included live 
children, namely: Emily, Martin V. 13.; Abraham 
P.. our subject; Marietta and Martha J. Martin, 
soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted 



T* 



in Company B, 51st Indiana Infantry, serving three 
years, and until December, 1861. \n the meantime 
he engaged in several conflicts with the enemy, and 
on one of the raids occurring about that time was 
captured and sent to Belle Isle Prison, where he 
was confined two weeks; then, through a lucky mis- 
take, he was exchanged, and returned home in 
safety. The children are located mostly in Ne- 
braska. 

The subject of this sketch remained under the 
parental roof until a youth of fifteen years. In the 
fall of 1854 he engaged to manage the locomotive 
power of a canal boat, and later employed himself 
on a farm. His educational advantages have been 
extremely limited, the necessity for making him- 
self useful preventing his attendance at school. 
He finally engaged in steamboating on the Ohio 
and Mississippi Rivers, from Lawrenceburg, Ind., 
to New Orleans, and became an expert pilot, 
knowing the location of about every snag and sand 
bank of importance in those waters. He was thus 
employed six seasons, making trips from Lawrence- 
burg to New Orleans in forty-four days. In mid- 
summer he engaged in sawmilling, and was thus 
variously occupied until 1862. On the 18th of 
August, that year, he enlisted in Company G, 83d 
Indiana Infantry, and prepared to fight the battles 
of his country. The regiment was assigned to the 
2d Brigade, 2d Division, 15th Corps. Army of the 
Tennessee, and he was mustered in at Lawrence- 
burg. Ind.. whence the boys were sent soon after- 
ward to Memphis, Tenn. Thence they proceeded 
down the .Mississippi to Yicksburg, and engaged 
with the enemy at Chickasaw Bayou, skirmishing 
along the line, and Anally returning to Yicksburg. 
They were employed in that locality digging a 
canal until February, when the valley was over- 
Mowed, and they proceeded up the levee and en- 
camped at Young's Point. Later followed the Ya- 
zoo River expedition, and upon the concentration 
of troops at Yicksburg they repaired thither once 
more, and were all through the siege of that city 
and until after its surrender. 

Mr. Manley thereafter did good service as a sol- 
dier at Mission Ridge, and witnessed Hooker's fight 
above the clouds. Later followed the siege of At- 
lanta, and our subject participated in many im- 

« » 



*x+. 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



151 



4~ 



portant engagements of that campaign, marching 
with Sherman to the sea. A1 Raleigh, S. ('.. they 
received news of Lee's surrender, and soon after- 
ward .started for Washington, our subject and his 
comrades taking part in the grand review, and 
shortly afterward received their discharge and were 
mustered out. 1 1 is army experience was similiar 
to that of thousands of others, replete with hard- 
ships and privations, and having little to reward 
him besides the consciousness of having done 
his duty. Years hence, when his grandchildren 
will perhaps peruse these papers, it will be a mat- 
ter of pride to which they will point with much 
satisfaction. 

Upon leaving the service our subject returned to 
Indiana, and operated the engine of a sawmill until 
August, 1866. lie then started for Nebraska, cross- 
ing the Missouri River at St. Joseph, and home- 
steaded 160 acres of land in Mission Creek Precinct, 
within whose limits he has since resided. His ex- 
perience on the frontier was similar to that of hun- 
dreds of others, with the exception that he formed 
the advance .guard of settlement in this section. 
lie labored a number of seasons in bringing his 
land to a state of cultivation, enclosing it with 
fences and putting up the necessary buildings. He 
then began planting fruit and forest trees, and has 
now a fine grove of seven acres and an orchard of 
600 apple trees in good bearing condition. Besides 
enclosing- his land there was considerable cross 
fencing to be done. He was fortunate in his selec- 
tion of a location, and has not a foot of waste land 
on his premises. His attention for the past few 
years lias been largely given to stock-raising, in- 
cluding horses, cattle and swine. He has a fine 
windmill, with water tanks and everything con- 
venient for the prosecution of his calling. The 
homestead in all respects forms one of the ideal 
rural estates, conducted after the most approved 
modern methods. 

In 1862 our subject was united in marriage with 
.Miss Naomi Clark, in Ripley County. Ind. Mrs. 
Manley is. like her husband, a native of that county. 

where she was reared to womanh 1. anil remained 

with her parents until becoming the mistress of her 
own home. Of this congenial union there have 
been born seven children, the eldest of whom, a 



son, Elmer !•'... is married, and carrying on farming 
in Gage County; Lillian .1. is the wife of II. Ilal- 
lett; he is a teacher by profession, and they live 
in the city of Lincoln. Frances E. married Mr. II. 
Garrison, and they live on a farm in Morse County, 
Kan.; Charles II., Thomas E., Arthur and Alonzo 
F. are at home with their parents. 

Mr. Manley, politically, is a decided Republican, 
and has been a useful man in local politics, fre- 
quently serving as a delegate to the various conven- 
tions, and cheerfully giving his time and influence 
to the furtherance of its principles. He has repre- 
sented his precinct in the County Board of Super- 
visors and has been a member of the School Board 
for years. Socially, he belongs to the G. A. R. 
and the Grange in Mission Creek. 



*-# 



-S— 




L. CORNELL, dealer in general merchan- 
dise, grain and live stock, in the town of 
Violet, is one of the most successful and en- 
terprising representatives of those varied interests 
to be found in Pawnee County. He was born in 
Plumfield, Somerset Co., N. J., Oct. 16, 1848. 
He comes of fine stock, and on his mother's side 
traces his ancestry back to Sir Francis Drake, the 
famous navigator of Queen Elizabeth's time. The 
father of our subject, William Cornell, was horn in 
New York State, and his mother, whose maiden 
name was Sarah Drake, was born in Somerset 
County, N. .1. Elijah Cornell, the paternal grand- 
father of our subject, was born in New York State, 
and after attaining manhood he was for many 
years a prosperous hardware merchant in New 
York City. His death occurred in that great 
metropolis in 1866, he then having reached the ripe 
old age of over eighty years. He was a Quaker in 
his religion, and was in every way a thoroughly 
good man. Tin' maternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, Noah Drake, was a well-to-do farmer and 
stock-raiser of Somerset County, N. J. He look 
an active part in the War of 1812. In his religious 
faith he was a linn Baptist. Ilis death occurred in 
1854, at an advanced age. 

The father of our subject was reared in New 
York City- He had a great natural taste for the 




JU 



■•*" 



152 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



sea, and at the age of eighteen became a sailor, 
and made his first voyage. For twenty years his 
life was passed mostly before the mast, and he 
worked his way up to the position of first mate of 
a vessel. He traveled extensively, visiting China, 
East India, and many other foreign countries, and 
was shipwrecked many times. His health finally 
gave way, and he settled down to life on dry land, 
and locating on a farm in New Jersey, comprising 
110 acres, engaged in farming and stock-raising 
until his death in 1851), at the age of fifty-two 
years. He was a man of good mental capacity, of 
clever, upright character, and hearty, generous 
feelings, and with his respected wife, was held in 
affection b} r all in the community where they re- 
sided. They were both esteemed and consistent 
members of the Baptist Church, although he had 
been reared a Quaker. He was a Republican in 
his politics. Of that marriage six children were 
born: Thomas L., Mary (deceased), Sarah, Lillie, 
Walter and Jane. After the father's death the 
mother moved to Illinois in 1863, and there died 
at the age of sixty-five, in August, 1883. 

Our subject was eleven years old when he had 
the misfortune to lose his father, and he continued 
to live with his mother until the age of fourteen. 
He secured an excellent education in the graded 
schools of Flumfield, N. J., and in 1863 accom- 
panied his mother to Delaware, Tazewell Co., 111. 
He worked on a farm there for two years, and 
then operated his mother's farm until the spring of 
1868. Then, ambitious to avail himself of the ad- 
vantages offered to energetic and intelligent young 
farmers by the cheap lands of Nebraska, he mi- 
grated to this State, coming by boat to Rulo, and 
thence with wagon to Pawnee County. He pre- 
empted 160 acres of land on section 1, Miles Pre- 
cinct, improved it to some extent, and after prov- 
ing upon it, sold it. He then rented a farm and 
bought stock, and continued on that place until he 
was old enough to take up a homestead, and then 
bought a claim of 160 acres on section 14, Miles 
Precinct. It was wild land with no improvements, 
he being one of the first settlers in the precinct, 
and he broke the soil, set out two acres of groves 
and an orchard, sowed some of his land to tame 
grass, fenced the place with hedge and wire, and 
-»* 



made many other valuable improvements. He 
purchased more land, until he had a fine farm of 
240 acres, and he then bought two farms adjoining, 
and had 445 acres of improved farming land. He 
raised sheep extensively, and at one time had a 
flock of 3,200 Merinos. He thus had one of the 
most extensive sheep ranches in Pawnee County, 
and used to ship some two carloads of wool a 
year. He also raised other stock, and fed many 
hogs, besides buying and shipping stock to Kansas 
City. He continued to be largely engaged in the 
sheep business until 1884, when, the tariff being 
taken off wool, he found it not so profitable. 
He carried on general farming until 1886, when he 
disposed of his farm, and bought a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise of Gov. Butler, and a building at 
Violet, and engaged in the general merchandise 
business. He afterward increased his stock, and 
besides general merchandise, carries hardware, 
drugs, agricultural implements, etc. Mr. Cornell 
is also engaged in buying and shipping stock, and 
in buying grain, and has cribs and scales, also de- 
votes much attention to raising horses of fine 
breed, and has one full-blooded whip stallion, 
"Diomede," and others. Mr. Cornell is a man of 
versatile talents and indefatigable energy, possess- 
ing extraordinary business acumen and executive 
ability, whereby even from very early manhood he 
has been enabled to handle extensive interests with 
ease and profit. 

Our subject was married to Miss Mayra Osborn, 
near Pawnee City, Neb., in April, 1878. She is 
a native of Indiana, and a daughter of David M. 
Osborn. She was finely educated, attending the 
Normal School of Nebraska, and for some years was 
a very successful teacher. 

Our subject has built a cozy residence in his 
store building, and his happy household circle is 
completed by the three children — Nellie, Edna and 
Grace — who have blessed the marriage of himself 
and wife. 

Mr. Cornell is the present Postmaster of Violet, 
and has held the position since 1886, yet he is one of 
the leading Republicans of this vicinity, and has 
been a delegate to County Conventions. He is 
prominently identified with the civic offices of the 
town, as Supervisor, member of the local School 




-•*- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



453 




Board, etc. He belongs to the Baptist Church in 
Pawnee City, and was active in building the 
church. He also assisted in building the Method- 
ist Church in Violet, and was one of the building 
committee. He attends that church because it is 
more convenient, and is a teacher in the Sunday- 
school connected with it. 

!LI T. BOONE, one of the early pioneers of 

Pawnee County, is an honored citizen of 
Table Rock Precinct, with whose farming 
interests he has been identified for more than 
twenty years, and he has actively assisted in de- 
veloping its great agricultural resources. He came 
to his present farm in 1867, settling on it when it 
was a part of the unbroken prairie, and he built 
the first house that was erected on the high land in 
this precinct. This humble dwelling, a relic of 
pioneer days, is still standing, forming a part of 
his present commodious and conveniently arranged 
residence, that he built in 1872. The first primi- 
tive abode is a small frame house, 14x16 feet in 
dimensions, and Mr. Boone had to draw the lum- 
ber from Rulo, taking two days to go and come, 
and he had to pay about $30 for his cottonwnod 
lumber. In the busy years that followed his first 
settlement here our subject broke and improved 
his land as fast as possible, and now has one of the 
finest farms in this locality, it being well fenced 
and under admirable tillage, and amply provided 
with neat and substantial buildings, and good ma- 
chinery for rendering the necessary work for op- 
erating it as easily done as possible. Mr. Boone 
has from time to time added to his original pur- 
chase, or sold land when lie found it, profitable to 
do so. until he now has ninety-three acres besides his 
homestead. He was for a time engaged in the nur- 
serj business, but gave way to O. I>. Howe, and 
has since paid much attention to raising cattle. 
lei:-, and horses of good grades, from which 
branch of agriculture he derives a good income. 
He devotes much of his time to the culture of 
fruit, and had the first bearing orchard anywhere 
within ten Or twelve miles of this locality, he hav- 
ing Sel out the first orchard within those limits, it 



containing forty apple trees. lie now has a line 
orchard of six acres, which has been in bearing for 
fifteen years, and contains some of the finest fruit 
in Pawnee County, among which are the Jonathan 
and (I rimes Golden Pipkin, considered two of the 
best varieties of apples ever grown. In setting ou1 
his trees he dug holes for their reception four feet 
square and two feet deep, and by keeping them well 
watered and mulched he never lost aii\ of them, 
and they have well repaid his good care by yield- 
ing from 300 to 500 bushels in different seasons, 
which he has sold at the rate of from fifty to sev- 
ty-tive cents a bushel. Mr. Uoone has also set out 
a good many acres of forest trees, and they make 
a good windbreak, thus protecting his crops and 
buildings. 

Our subject is an Englishman by birth, and first 
saw the light of day in Somersetshire. Old En- 
gland, March 20, 1834. His parents. John and 
Harriet (Shorney) Uoone, were likewise natives of 
that country, the father having been born Aug. 20, 
1801, and the mother Dec. 31, 1799. They lived 
and died in their native land, both being held in 
the highest respect for their many solid virtues 
and genuine worth of character. They were the 
parents of five children, whom they trained to 
honest and useful lives. 

lie of whom we write received a good practical 
education, and at the age of twenty-two, with that 
for capital, besides strong muscle and an energetic 
disposition, left the home of his childhood and youth 
with its many pleasant associations, and the friends 
that were dear to him, to seek on another conti- 
nent a new home amid strange scenes and faces. 
After landing on these shores he proceeded to 
Warren, do Daviess Co., HI., and there spent the 
few years that intervened before his settlement in 
Nebraska, where he came to cast his lot with the 
pioneers who had preceded him. While a resident 
of that county he had the good fortune to meet 
.Miss Eunice PepOOn, who consented to unite her 
life with his. and Sept. 17, 1865, their marriage 
was duly solemnized. Of this union seven children 
have been born, viz.: Henry 0., Gertrude M.. 
Frederic G., Albert ('..Frank C, Arthur E. and 
May E. They are all at home, and with tine edu- 
cations, form :i cultivated family group. MissGe 



f 



•►HF^ 



-•^i-* 



454 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



ypILLIAM II. CURTIS. Pawnee City for 
some time has been taking upon herself the 
Wy airs of older towns, and has already quite 
a list of retired merchants. This fact illustrates her 
rapid growth, and the fact that it has not taken a 
lifetime for an enterprising man to accumulate a 
competency. The experience of Mr. Curtis in this 



trade has rare talent as an artist, and paints land- 
scapes and flowers with remarkable fidelity to 
nature, from which she selects her subjects. Mrs. 
Boone is a daughter of Deacon Silas Pepoon, for a 
sketch of whose life see the biography of J. B. and 
T. W. Pepoon. She was born in Painesville, Ohio, 
Aug. 23, 1841, and has indeed been a true helpmate 
to her husband, who is greatly indebted to her 
cheerful assistance for his prosperity, and to her 
children she is a wise and tender mother. 

As an honest, sturdy, intelligent, upright man, 
our subject has had a marked influence in the civic 
affairs of this precinct, whose growth he has 
watched and aided from its infancy. He was a 
resident here as early as the time of the organiza- 
tion of District No. 35, and has for many years been 
a Director. As contractor and builder he built the 
first school-house here, erecting a small building 
worth $500, and he was also Chairman and Director 
of the Building Committee that had charge of the 
erection of the present substantial structure that 
has replaced the old school-house. He is not, how- 
ever, an office-seeker, preferring the quiet and com- 
fort of a pleasant fireside to the bustle and discord 
of public life. In 1860 he made a trip, in company 
with others, across the plains to Oregon, with ox- 
ten ins; it took five months, and the year following, 
the war breaking out he enlisted in the 1st Oregon 
Cavalry, and served three years in the Army of 
the Pacific Slope, their duties principally being in 
guarding coast defenses, and protecting the emi- 
grants and settlers from the Indians. After his 
discharge he returned to Warren, 111. He is a 
member of the G. A. R., and he and his family oc- 
cupy a prominent social position in this commu- 
nity. In politics he votes with the Republican 
party, which finds in him one of its stanchest sup- 
porters. 



region has been one more than ordinarily fortu- 
nate, and he is now living amid the comforts of a 
pleasant home, with, it is to be hoped, many com- 
fortable years before him. 

The birthplace of our subject was manj - leagues 
from the spot of his present residence, he having 
been born in Portland, Me., Sept. 28, 1822. He 
was the third in a family of ten children, five of 
whom lived to mature years. His father, William 
Curtis, also a native of the Pine Tree State, died in 
his prime, when but forty years of age. The 
mother, Miss Rebecca E. Perry, was a distant rela- 
tive of Commodore Perry, of Lake Erie fame. She 
also was a native of Maine, in which State she re- 
sided until her marriage. After the death of her 
husband she removed to Parkman, same State, 
and from there to Wisconsin, where she died in the 
year 1862. 

Young Curtis was thrown on his own resources 
when a lad of ten years, and employed himself at 
whatever he could find to do to make an honest 
living. He worked around among the farmers of 
Penobscot County, Me., and in 1848 migrated to 
Wisconsin, and took up land, where he settled and 
improved a farm. He left Wisconsin in 1860, and 
came to this county, at a time when the present site 
of Pawnee City was marked by four or five houses. 
In the fall of that same year he opened up a store 
on the corner of the Square, and conducted gen- 
eral merchandising until 1871. 

Mr. Curtis in the meantime had been recognized 
as a valued addition to the community, and after 
serving in various other positions of trust and re- 
sponsibility, was elected Clerk of Pawnee County, 
holding the office four years. He was also ap- 
pointed Postmaster of Pawnee City, which position 
he occupied until resigning. He had been married 
in his native State. Dec. 22, 1845, to Miss Izabelle 
B. Whitney, who bore him two children, one of 
whom died in infancy. The other, a son, Charles 
II., is a newsdealer in Pawnee City. Mr. Curtis 
served as a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion, and in social matters is identified with the 
I. O. O. F. He takes a warm interest in the suc- 
cess of the order, and has represented it in the 
Grand Bodge at Baltimore, Md. 

Mr. Curtis, like the balance of the Republican 



ffe 




•►Hf^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



455 



4. 



party of which ho is a member, looks forward to 
the administration of President Harrison as mark- 
ing an era in the history of this great country. He 
keeps himself well posted upon the current events, 
and is always to be found in favor of everything 
to benefit the county and elevate society. 



#~# 




iJiETER G. FOA1.F. The memoir which is 
briefly sketched in connection with the 
above name is thai of one of the ear- 
liest settlers and most extensive land- 
owners of this county. He dates his advent into 
Nebraska Territory as the 1th of July, 18">6, and 
further signalized it by taking up 160 acres of land 
a mile south of the Johnson County line. He is 
now the owner of a fine estate, having 7 < 1 acres of 
land in one body, and thoroughly improved, mak- 
ing it one of the most valuable homesteads in this 
region. 

Mr. Foale, the first fall after coming to Ne- 
braska, sheltered himself in a rail shanty, covered 
with hay, which was destroyed by fire. In the log 
structure which he afterward creeled he lived a 
period of ten years, and in 1870 put up a solid 
stone dwelling. In 1884 he erected a larger and 
finer domicile on the other side of the Nemaha, and 
this has for the last four years been his abode. 
In the meantime, in connection with these im- 
provements, he has set out an orchard and 
brees of the smaller fruits, has gathered together a 

g Uy assortment of. farm stock and machinery. 

and bears the reputation of being one of the most 
wide-awake and successful agriculturists in this 
section of country. 

Coming to Table Rock Precincl before its 
school districts were organized, Mr. Foale was in- 
strumental in the establishment and maintenance 
of schools, and was one of the first officers on the 
board of his district. He lias never lost his inter- 
feres! in education, has officiated as School Treas- 
urer, and as may be supposed, assisted in the erec- 
tion of the first school building. Although a man 

libera] and public-spirited, and ever OB the alert to 

encourage the enterprises calculated to build up his 

community, he cares very little for politics, ill 

-4- 



fact is considerably disgusted with the doings of 
public officials. When he came to this region he 
had only one neighbor in Bight, .Mr. Armstrong, 
half a mile away. His nearest, market was at 
Brownville, thirty miles away. In the erection of 
his stone house he diil most of the work himself. 
Desirous of better facilities for the education of 
his son he went to Missouri, and spent the year 
I860 and about half of 1861 there, but owing to 
the war the schools were not kept. 

Mr. Foale inherited the prominent traits of his 
character from ids English ancestors, and is him- 
self a Briton by birth, his native place being in I >ev- 
onshire, where he was born Feb. 11. 1822. He lived 
there until a man of twenty-six years, emigrating 
to America in July, 1848. He settled first in Erie 
County, Ohio, and in October following was mar- 
ried to Miss Susan Hewitt. There were born to 
them two children, Oscar and William; the latter 
died when a few months old. 

Upon leaving Ohio Mr. and Mrs. Foale took up 
their residence first in Adams County, 111., and 
thence removed to St. Joseph, Mo. Our subject 
for a number of years after leaving Ohio worked 
at his trade, although Ids intention had been from 
the start to have a farm of his own. With that 
aim in view he was willing to undergo the hard- 
ships and privations of the pioneer settler, and the 
manner in which he has been rewarded for his per- 
severance and his labors it would seem mighl lie a 
Source of abundant satisfaction. His farm is very 
productive, and of late years he has found that 
stock-raising was easier than the cultivation of the 
soil, and fully as profitable. He usually keeps Kin 

head of graded cattle, besides numbers of g 1 

horses and swine. 

Mrs. Susan (Hewitt) Foale, the wife of our sub- 
ject, was born in Erie County, Ohio, Feb. 19, 1822, 
and is the daughter of Collins II. and Mary (Van 
Ni'^l Hewitt, the mother being one of the noted 
Van Ness family, of Kindcrhook. N. Y. Mrs. F. 
was reared by an aunt. Mrs. Carpenter, with whom 
she lived from early childhood until her marriage. 
Oscar, the cider son of Mr. and Mrs. Foale. 
was born in August. 1850. Hi' received a COm- 
mon-school education, and was married to Miss 
Ann Sipple. who bore him two children — Amy and 

■» 



r 



.fr-ll^ 



4~ 



456 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4 



Percy. Mr. Foale is essentially a self-made man, 
having started out early in life dependent upon his 
own efforts, which after all proved to him a school 
of inestimable value in making him self-reliant, in- 
dustrious and economical, thus laying the basis of 
his future success. In politics he is now independ- 
ent. During the war he was a stanch Union man. 
In religious belief he is liberal. 

William Foale, the father of our subject, was also 
a native of Devonshire, England, and married a lady 
of his own county, who bore him four children, 
three of whom are living. 

Collins Hewitt, the father of Mrs. Foale, married 
Miss Mary Van Ness, of Erie County. Ohio, and to 
them were born seven children, of whom Mrs. F. 
was next to the youngest. The mother died, and 
Mr. Collins contracted a second marriage, and there 
were added to the number of his offspring several 
more children. lie is now deceased, as is also his 
second wife. 

EUEMIAII N. McCASLANI). M. D.. has been 
a practicing physician of good repute for a 
period of over thirty years, and has spent 
the greater part of this time in Pawnee City, 
having come to Nebraska Territory as early as 
1858. As may be supposed, there were then but a 
few unimportant houses on the site of this present 
wealthy and nourishing town. The young physician 
opened an office, and although not being at first 
rushed with business, performed his duties as faith- 
fully and conscientiously as if a thousand people 
were watching his movements. This course bore 
its legitimate fruits in the confidence and esteem of 
the people for miles around, and in due time he 
found himself on the high road to prosperity. He 
is now numbered among the most skilled and re- 
liable practitioners of the county. 

It may be proper to glance at the opening years 
of the life of our subject, which were spent in the 
vicinity of the town of Madison, in Jefferson 
County, Ind., where his birth took place Sept. 3, 
1821. His father, George McCasland, was a native 
of Kentucky, a wheelwright during the most active 
years of his ife, and later engaged in agricultural 




pursuits. He married a lady of his own State. Miss 
Rachel, daughter of Jeremiah Laws, of Mercer 
County, Ky., and they lived there until 1830. They 
then emigrated to Indiana, where they spent the re- 
mainder of their days. 

The household circle of George McCasland and 
his estimable wife was completed by the birth of 
fourteen children, who, with one exception, all 
lived to attain their majority. Jeremiah N. was 
the fifth child. He pursued his first studies in the 
schools of his native county, where he continued 
to reside with his parents until twenty-three years 
of age. Probably the first important event of his 
life was his marriage with Miss Elizabeth A., 
daughter of Joseph Woods. The Woods family 
removed from Jefferson to this count}- in 1857. 

After their marriage the Doctor and his wife 
settled in Jefferson County, Ind., where our sub- 
ject engaged in the milling business on the waters 
of Big Creek, and where he operated successfully 
a number of years. Thence he removed to Jack- 
son County, Ind., and conducted a gristmill four 
years. In the meantime he utilized his leisure 
hours in reading medicine, and availed himself of 
the excellent instruction of Dr. Green. When 
sufficiently advanced he entered upon a course of 
lectures in the Medical College at Louisville. Ky., 
and a few months later commenced the practice of 
his chosen profession as the partner of his old in- 
structor, Dr. Green. He left Indiana in the spring 
of 1858, coming to this county, and his after course 
we have already indicated. Only a comparatively 
brief time had elapsed until he was appointed by 
Gov. Butler First Assistant Physician for the In- 
sane Asylum at Lincoln, a position which he held 
two years. Upon retiring from this he resumed 
his practice in Pawnee City and vicinity, and was 
fully established years ago as one of its leading 
physicians. 

Dr. McCasland, as one of the early pioneers of 
Pawnee County, looked upon this region of country 
before the streams were bridged, anil before there 
was a railroad line west of St. Louis. No man has 
taken a livelier interest in the growth and progress 
of his adopted county, and he has contributed to 
its prosperity in no small degree. He is the father 
of eight children, three of whom died at a tender 



-.■- 




©• 




■*•■ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



459 4i 



age. The eldest of the survivors is Louisa, tin- 
wife of James Butler, and residing in this city; 
Elnora is married to her second husband, 15. F. 
Hill, and lives in St. Joseph, Mo.; Lilly B. is the 
wife of . I. R. Ervin; Minnie married M. M. Pad- 
don; Hattie lives at home with her parents, and 
Etta is the wife of Ed. S. Ames. 

Dr. McCasland also gained the title of Honorable 
during the Territorial days, having been elected by 
the Republicans of Pawnee County to represent 
them in the Legislature, in which he served two 
terms. In religious matters he inclines to the doc- 
trines of the Christian Church, of which he is a 
member. For good and sufficient reasons he left 
the Republican party in 1882, and became a sup- 
porter of the Cleveland administration. He voted 
for John C. Fremont in 18jG. Socially, he be- 
longs to Pawnee Lodge X<>. 2-">. A. F. A- A. M., 
ami is a charter member of Interior Lodge No. 9, 
I. O. O. F. 

David McCasland, the paternal grandfather of 
our subject, was born in Virginia, whence he re- 
moved with his parents to Kentucky when a mere 
child. lie was of Welsh ancestry, the great-grand- 
father of our subject having emigrated from Scot- 
land probably during the Colonial days. The 
mother of our subject traced her forefathers to 
Wales. 



A. 



=£>- 



«H=4 



JOHN P. SWALLOW. It is said that this 
gentleman is one of the most enterprising 
citizens of Burchard — one who has been 
closely identified with its business interests, 
and who has done much to facilitate the building 
up of the town. He is seldom idle, employing 
himself almost constantly either with his hands or 
his brain, and has made it a lifelong habit to ob- 
serve what was going on around him and keep him- 
self posted with regard to matters of general 
interest, lie lias been for some time operating as 
an extensive coal dealer, and is also manager of the 
grain elevator of DeW. i). Diven A- Co. He came 
to the West as early as 1856, and to Nebraska in 
the spring of l>Ci7. For a period of over thirty 
years he has been closely associated with the best 



interests of the State, which was under Territorial 
Government at the time of his coming here. 

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Swallow was 
born in Pittston Township, Luzerne County. May 
16, 1831. His father, Benjamin Swallow, was also 
born in that county, in 1808, and married Miss 
Maty Price, a native of England, and born in 1808. 
The paternal grandfather, Capt. Joseph Swallow, 
was a native of New Jersey, whence he removed to 
Luzerne County, Pa., when eighteen years old. He 
took up a tract of timber land, from which he 
cleared the forest and constructed a good home- 
stead, becoming well-to-do. Of patriotic impulse, 
he shouldered his musket in the War of IS 12, ami 
for his bravery and fidelity to duty was given a 
Captain's commission. When the war ended lie 
returned to the peaceful pursuits of farm life, and 
spent the remainder of his days in his adopted 
State. He departed hence in 1860, at the advanced 
age of eighty years. In politics he was an old-line 
Whig. His wife in her girlhood was Miss Mary A. 
Cooper, whose father, George Cooper, also served 
in the Revolutionary War, and witnessed the 
Wyoming massacre, being one of the last to leave 
the field. Grandmother Swallow survived her hus- 
band and lived to be almost one hundred years old. 
Her mother, the great-grandmother of our subject, 
lived likewise to be nearly a. centenarian. The 
Swallow family originated in Germany, and from 
that country the ancestors of our subject emigrated, 
settling in New Jersey. 

On the mother's side Grandfather George Price 
was born in England, and came to America about 
1810, settling in Luzerne County, Pa., where he 
opened up a large farm, and under it there was 
later discovered a bed of coal. He was thus en- 
abled to sell his property at a good round sum, 
and removing to New Jersey retired from active 
labor, establishing himself in the village of Middle- 
town, where he spent the remainder of his days in 
ease and comfort, and died in 1848. 

Benjamin Swallow, the father of our subject, was 
reared to man's estate in Pennsylvania, acquiring a 
common-school education. lie was also married 
there, and operated a small farm. Underneath this 
also there was a coal mine, which the elder Swallow 
developed with success and finally sold, removing 



•+*■ 



4 



460 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



to what is now Lackawanna County, Pa. There 
also he purchased land, prosecuted farming, and 
died Dec. 14, 1888. The mother is still living at 
the old homestead, is a good woman and a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
ten children, the eldest of whom was John P. The 
others were named respectively : Rasselas D. ; James, 
who died when thirty -one years old; Elizabeth, Belle, 
Caroline, George; Benjamin, Jr., deceased; and Jo- 
seph, his twin brother, also Josephine. R. D. served a 
few months as home guard during the late war. 
James was for a short time a member of the Penn- 
sylvania Reserves; George enlisted in the regular 
army, serving along the Potomac two years, and 
until the close of the war. The children living are 
mostly residents of Pennsylvania. 

Upon reaching his majority the suhject of this 
sketch turned his steps toward the farther West, 
determined to seek his fortunes on the other side 
of the Mississippi. He made his way by railroad, 
stage and team, first to Fremont County, Iowa, but 
sojourned there only a short time. Returning 
eastward as far as Illinois he spent the winter of 
1856-57 in Grundy County, and the spring follow- 
ing started out again for the West. He first lo- 
cated in Johnson County, this State, in 1857, taking 
up a squatter claim of 160 acres three and one-half 
miles north of the present site of Sterling, on the 
Nemaha. There was then not a railroad track in 
Nebraska, and Mr. Swallow was one of the first 
men to settle in his vicinity. He held to his land 
until it came into market, in the meantime operat- 
ing as a grain dealer at the then hamlet of Ne- 
braska City, buying corn, also driving stage and 
freighting. He also operated as mail carrier, and 
in fact engaged in whatever he could that would 
enable him to turn an honest penny. 

In the summer of 1861 Mr. Swallow, rather 
tired of life on the frontier, returned to Grundy 
Count}', 111., and engaged in farming until after the 
outbreak of the Civil War. He watched the con- 
flict until the 8th of August, 1862, then resolved to 
proffer his services in assisting to preserve the 
Union. He enlisted in Company E, 91st Illinois 
Infantry, which was made a part of the 2d Brigade, 
3d Division, 13th Army Corps, Southwestern Army; 



was mustered in at Camp Butler September 8, and 
with his comrades sent into Kentucky. In the bat- 
tle at Elizabethtown he was taken prisoner with his 
regiment, but soon afterward was paroled, and his 
regiment went to Benton Barracks, where they re- 
mained until June, 1863, when they were ex- 
changed and proceeded down the Mississippi to 
Vicksburg. thence to New Orleans, and joined an 
expedition into Texas. Mr. Swallow in due time 
became chief clerk in the commissary department, 
which occupied his time until April, 1865, when he 
joined his regiment on Fish River, in Alabama, in 
time to participate in the taking of Spanish Fort. 
Thence they repaired to Ft. Blakely, and after- 
ward to Mobile City, and thence went up the Tom- 
bigbee River to blockade the rebel navy. A few 
weeks later the news came of the surrender of Gen. 
Lee, and our subject with his comrades was sent 
to Mobile, mustered out and honorably discharged 
at Camp Butler, near Springfield, 111. 

Mr. Swallow now returned to his old haunts in 
Grundy County, 111., and followed farming there 
and in Kendall County until the fall of 1869. Ne- 
braska had now been admitted into the Union as a 
State, and the frontier was being gradually settled 
up by an intelligent class of people. He decided 
accordingly to proceed hither and develop his 
land. lie made the journey overland with a team, 
being three weeks on the way. He crossed the 
Missouri River at Nebraska City, and upon reach- 
ing his purchase put up a shelter for himself and 
began the improvements which have resulted in 
one of the best farms in this section. After bring- 
ing the soil to a good state of cultivation he turned 
his attention largely to stock-raising, also to the 
buying and selling of grain, making his headquar- 
ters at Sterling. 

Mr. Swallow having a good opportunity to sell 
out, disposed of his farm property in 1882, and 
took up his residence in Burchard, where he put 
up his present building in that year, in a field 
where the corn stalks were still standing, but which 
is now the corner of Gage and Second streets. He 
began dealing in coal and grain and soon built up 
a large trade. In 1883 he invested a part of his 
capital in furniture, in company with Mr. F. 
Bstandig, the partnership continuing until 1886, at 



■*•■ 




o= 



PAAVNEE COUNTY. 



4G1 ik 



*t 



which lime Mr. Swallow withdrew, and has since 
confined himself exclusively to dealing in coal and 
grain. He purchased the first grain which came to 
the town, and assumed charge of the elevator in 
1885. He possesses more than ordinary good busi- 
ness capacities, while his industry and application 
are matters of frequent mention. 

Our subject found his bride in Johnson Count}', 
this State, being married near Sterling, in November, 
1882, to Mrs. Phebe Helms. This lady was born 
in Steuben Count}', N. Y., and is the mother of 
three children by her first husband : lilac-hart, a 
railroad engineer, and a resident of Wymore; Dr. 
J. E. Helms, of Burchard ; and Mattie J., living at 
home, and who is local editor of the Burchard Times. 
They occupy a neat and comfortable home in the 
eastern part of the city, and number their friends 
among its most cultivated people. Mr. Swallow, 
politically, belongs to the Union Labor party, who 
nominated him for the State Legislature in 1888. 
He has been a member of the Town Board, and 
served as Justice of the Peace two terms. He also 
acts as agent for Burchard real estate, and is quite 
successful in disposing of town lots. Socially, he 
is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also a charter 
member of William A. Butler Post No. 172, G. A. 
R. He has frequently served on the Grand and 
Petit Juries, and there are few enterprises having 
for their object the general welfare of the com- 
munity in which his aid is not solicited. He is a 
man of sound judgment, in fact one of the repre- 
sentative men of Pawnee County, and is one of 
the proprietors of the Burchard Times. A portrait 
of this representative and well-known citizen of 
Pawnee County is shown on an adjoining page. 

JOHN WHALEY. The life record of this 
honored pioneer of Pawnee County is one 
which his children may be proud to look 
upon in after years. A man quiet and un- 
obtrusive in demeanor, he still possesses much latent 
strength of character, as illustrated in the manner 
in which he has labored to build up a homestead 
from the wilderness, and a good reputation among 
his fellovvmen. His earlier years were character- 



ized by incessant industry, prudence and econ- 
omy, the exercise of which has borne its legitimate 
fruits, as he is now in possession of a competence, 
and sitting under his own vine and fig tree, sur- 
rounded by all life's comforts and the respect of 
his neighbors, is enjoying the fruits of a well-spent 
life. There are few men living in this county who 
ventured upon the soil at the time when he did, 
the old landmarks slowly disappearing. 

Mr. Whaley came to Sheridan Precinct in July. 
18C4, and on the loth day of that month filed a 
homestead claim for 160 acres of land, forty of 
which he sold later to his son-in-law, Francis E. 
Washburn. The balance he has since lived upon 
and given his attention to its improvement and cul- 
tivation. Upon it not a furrow had been turned 
when he took possession, and there was not a tree 
or a shrub, not even a hint of a bush large enough 
to make a riding whip. There is now presented 
the picture of an abundance of forest and fruit 
trees, an orchard covering six or seven acres, and 
trees of the smaller fruits, which yield to the house- 
hold the luxuries of the season. He planted hedge 
around their whole quarter-section, cross fenced 
with the same, and brought the whole to a good 
state of cultivation. In 18(i9 he put up a neat and 
substantial dwelling. Prior to this they had lived 
in a small frame structure, and when first coming 
here occupied a cellar two winters before the first 
house was finished. 

Our subject spent the first nine years of his life 
near the village of Schuyler, in Herkimer County, 
N. Y., where he was born March 20, 1810. In 1 825 
his father removed to the western part of the State, 
where our subject lived with the family until he 
was twenty-one years old, then removed to Kalama- 
zoo County, Mich., where he operated a farm until 
December, 1839. He had in the meantime learned 
the mason's trade, and also employed himself as a 
general mechanic during his early manhood. In- 
deed he has operated as mechanic and mason com- 
bined since that time, hiring men to work his farm, 
raising grain largely, and feeding what he raises to 
stock. 

Mr. Whaley left Kalamazoo County for St. Joseph 
County after a few years, residing in the latter from 
1839 to 1864, excepting a few }'ears' residence in i 



-»^il^» 



A 462 



■*► 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



Kalamazoo, carrying on farming and working at 
his trade. In 1864 he disposed of his farm prop- 
erty and sought the new Territory of Nebraska, of 
which he has since been a resident. He assisted in 
the organization of Sheridan Precinct, and has been 
a member of the board since that time. Through 
his encouragement and support and that of the other 
enterprising men around him, the schools are con- 
ducted eight or nine months each year. His eldest 
daughter taught the first school in the district. Mr. 
Whale}' has been one of the leading men in local 
affairs, and served as a Justice of the Peace many 
years, having for some time an office in town. Al- 
though rather independent in politics, he usually 
votes the Republican ticket. 

After coming to this county Mr. Whaley began 
operating as a builder and contractor, and many of 
the best structures of Pawnee Precinct give evi- 
dence of his skill and genius. Among these is the 
Exchange Hotel, the First Methodist Episcopal 
Church, the store building of H. Irving and others, 
upon some of which he worked as a mason, and 
others merely superintending. When he came to 
Sheridan Precinct, St. Joseph, ninety-two miles 
away, was the nearest railroad station, and the near- 
est point furnishing a market and supplies was 
Brownville. There was one store at Pawnee City, 
but no other houses. For the purpose of erecting 
his first buildings Mr. Whaley was obliged to haul 
lumber from Rulo and Brownville, forty-five miles 
distant, making the round trip in two days. He 
had to ford all the creeks, frequently meeting not 
a soul on the way. There then stood only two 
houses on the prairie, and Pawnee City was marked 
by perhaps twenty structures, including sheds and 
others. His children in those early days traveled 
two miles across the prairie to school, when it was 
unmarked even by a wagon track. A neighbor 
with careful forethought hitched his horses to a plow 
and made a furrow for the children to follow so 
they should not get lost. 

Our subject while a resident of Kalamazoo County, 
Mich., was married, Oct. 11, 184o, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Portman. This lady was born July 25, 1821, 
in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and is the daughter of 
James and Lucy (Gilson) Portman. the former a na- 
tive of Sugar (irove, Pa., and the latter of Cliautau- 



■*•- 



qua County, N. Y. Mr. P., after reaching man's 
estate, migrated to Chautauqua County, N. Y., 
where he was married and reared a family of eight 
children. Later they removed to Michigan, where the 
death of Mr. Portman took place in 1856. The 
mother survived a number of years, and spent her 
last days in Clinton County, Mich. The father of 
Mrs. Whaley was a millwright by trade, but after 
coming to the West secured a tract of land which 
he improved into a good farm. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there were 
born eight children, five of whom are living: Laura 
J. is the wife of L. C. DeCodress, of Box Butte 
County, Neb., and the mother of seven children, 
namely: Nettie M., Ruth E., Edith O, John L., 
Libby, Alma and Nina. Lovica A. married Augus- 
tus Colony, of Pawnee City, and has three children 
— Blanche, Herbert and Perl ; Florence, Mrs. F. E. 
Washburn, is the mother of two children — Julia Ann 
and Eva L. ; James E. married Miss Nancy Cauady, 
of Pawnee City; they reside in Box Butte Count}', 
and are the parents of two children — Rhoda E. and 
Minnie M. Gideon P. is single, and a resident of 
Box Butte County. Mary E. became the wife of 
James E. Mclntyre, who died in the army, and had 
one son, James E., who is now married, and the 
father of two children; he also lives in Box Butte 
County. Mr. Mclntyre was never heard from but 
once after his arrival at Williamsburg, N. C, with 
the invalid corps, where he died in the hospital. In 
1866 Mrs. Mel. married Hugh Wright, of Paw- 
nee City, Neb., and died Feb. 28, 1871, leaving 
two daughters, Anola and Harriet, the latter of 
whom is the adopted daughter of Mr. John Colony, 
and in Pawnee City, and the former is with her 
father in Ohio. Sarah A. became the wife of J. J. 
Coard, and died July 25, 1877, leaving four chil- 
dren — Arthur J., Mary E., Lovica E. and Lewis J. 
The younger children are in Illinois, and the eldest 
boy makes his home with his grandfather Whaley. 
Hiram Ernest, the eldest son of our subject, died 
unmarried, when a promising young man in the 
twentieth year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Whaley 
have twenty-eight descendants in all, there being 
besides their five children twenty-one grandchil- 
dren and two great-grandchildren. 

Edward Whaley. the father of our subject, was a 



T 



" «> " ■ 4e 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



163 



native of Rhode Island, born in the city of Provi- 
dence, and after liis marriage to Miss Sally Chase 
removed to Herkimer County, N. Y., taking up a 
tract of new land, upon which he operated until 
L825. He then removed to Erie County, and from 
there to Michigan, a few years after his son John 
had settled there, about 1839 or 1840. Both he 
and his estimable wife spent their last years in St. 
Joseph County, that State. 

After the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. Whaley 
enlisted as a soldier of the Union Army, July 2s, 
1862, in Company K, 19th Michigan Infantry, 
which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. 
He was mustered in Sept. 5, 1862, as First Lieuten- 
ant, and remained in the service until November 
following, acting chiefly as guard around the city 
of Cincinnati. Prior to this, however, he had en- 
listed with the Mechanical Fusileers, doing service 
at Chicago, and assisting to build the barracks at 
Camp Douglas. Mr. W. is a member of the G. A. 
1!., and has been a member of the Pawnee County 
bar for the last fourteen years. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Whaley are members in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
Mr. W. is particularly interested in Sunday-school 
work. The fact that he is highly spoken of by the 
people of his community is sufficient indication of 
his standing as a farmer and a citizen. Besides his 
property in Pawnee Precinct he is the owner of a 
timber claim in Box Butte County, Neb. 



4 



jfcJk ICIIAEL BYRNE. Among the citizens of 
Pawnee County, who. as sons of its pio- 
neers, were reared within its bounds, and 
within the last decade have stepped to the 
front to perform their share in sustaining and fur- 
ther developing the great agricultural interests of 
the State of Nebraska, the subject of this biograph- 
ical notice occupies no mean position, lie is skill- 
fully operating a farm of seventy-seven acres on 
section 11. Plum Creek Precinct, within a mile of 
the village of Burchard. Nine years ago said farm 
was a tract of wild prairie land, with not a furrow 
turned. Since that time our Subject, witli patient. 
indefatigable industry, has wrought a great change, 



and now its fertile acres produce abundant har- 
vests. A neat house and barn, and other neces- 
sary farm buildings, give a home-like look to the 
plaee. The land has been fenced with wire, and 
groves and orchards have been planted, the latter 
containing 153 choice fruit trees. The farm is 
pleasantly located near Plum Creek, by which it is 
well watered, and a line bit of native timber along 
the creek belongs to the estate, anil adds to its 
picturesqueness and value. Mr. Byrne carries on 
general farming, raises a number of cattle ami 
hoes, and lias live head of horses. 

Our subject is the son of a well-known and 
highly prosperous pioneer of Pawnee County, 
Owen Byrne, oneof the first settlers of Plum Creek 
Precinct, who has ever since been identified with 
its agricultural interests, and has greatly added to 
its material prosperity. He was born in County 
Roscommon, Ireland, and when a lad of seventeen 
years he migrated to America. He found employ- 
ment on the public works in Lowell, Mass., and a 
few years later was married in that city to Miss 
Margaret lieily. a native of County Lei trim, Ire- 
land. After marriage they went to live in Cleve- 
land. Ohio, then a small city, and Mr. Byrne was 
engaged in breaking on the road. In 1854 he 
moved still further westward, and took 141 his resi- 
dence in the small town of l)es Moines, in winch 
there were at that time but a few buildings. He 
was employed in public work there for four years. 
In 1858 another move found him in the young city 
of Leavenworth. Kan., and he also labored at pub- 
lic work there. By frugality, unremitting toil, 
and judicious managemenl in the years that suc- 
ceeded his arrival in this country, he had saved 
.-..mie money, which he determined to invest in the 
cheap farming lands of the then Territory of Ne- 
braska, and in the fall of 1861 he crossed the Kan- 
sas line for that purpose, and entered 160 aero of 
timber land on the banks of Plum Creek, and thus 
early identified himself with the pioneers of this 
precinct, lie broke the land, placed it under g I 

cultivation, erected substantial buildings, and has 
added to his original purchase by buying 320 acres 
of land adjoining his homestead. He has deeded 
away all but 320 acres of his land, which he re- 
tains under his supervision, although be rent- the 




164 



-«fr 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4- 



most of it. He has been very successful in hi.s ca- 
reer, and now at the age of sixty-five can enjoy life 
five from the toils and cares that lieset his earlier 
3^eais. He is an active member of the Roman 
Catholic Church, and is justly held in great re- 
spect by all, not only as a pioneer of Pawnee 
County, but for his many excellent qualities as a 
man and a citizen. In 1873 he had the misfortune 
to lose his estimable wife, who had been to him a 
true wife and loving companion. She was but 
forty-five years of age at the time of her lamented 
death. Of that marriage five children were born, 
as follows: Thomas. Michael. John, James and 
Mary A. 

Michael Byrne was born in l)es Moines, Iowa,. 
July 26, 18.">6, and was only four years old when 
his parents brought him to Nebraska. He grew up 
on his father's farm, with limited educational ad- 
vantages, attending school only nine months, but 
he lias since made up for the deficiencies of his early 
education by observation and reading, he having 
naturally a perceptive and retentive mind. He re- 
mained on the paternal homestead until he was 
about nineteen years of age, and then began life 
for himself, going to his native State, where he was 
engaged in railroading on the Iowa Central for 
three years, becoming overseer of a section. He 
subsequently returned to Plum Creek, and re- 
sumed on his father's farm the occupation to which 
he had been reared. In 1880 he located on his 
present farm, which his father then deeded to him. it 
consisting originally of eighty acres of land, but 
the railway has cut off three acres. We have 
noted how he has developed the wild tract of prai- 
rie into a valuable and productive farm. He has 
not been without the assistance of a good wife to 
help him in establishing his cozy home, as Feb. 21, 
1882, he was married, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Miss 
Mary Monaghan. Mrs. Byrne was born in that 
city. Nov. 2, I860, a daughter of John and Ellen 
(Kathy) Monaghan. Her parents were natives of 
Ireland, her father born in County Fermanagh, 
and her mother in County Kildare. They came to 
America single, and were married in Ohio. They 
subsequently moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where 
the father was employed as a stone worker, and 
continued to (juarry stone, remaining a citizen of 



that city until his death, March 3, 1880, at the age 
of forty-five years. The mother is still living in 
Des Moines, and is now fifty-five years old. She 
is a Roman Catholic, as was her husband. To them 
were born four children — Kate, Mary. James and 
Rosa. Two children. Maggie and Mary Ellen, com- 
plete the home circle of our subject and his wife. 
Mr. and Mrs. Byrne are very highly thought of 
in their community, and move in the best society 
of the place. They are sincere and earnest Chris- 
tians, and charter members of the Catholic Church 
at Burchard, helped to build it, and Mrs. Byrne is a 
valued teacher in the Sunday-school. Mr. Byrne 
is a man of active public spirit, and does all that 
he can to encourage the advancement of the pre- 
cinct with which his interests have been identified 
for so many years. He did as much as any one indi- 
vidual in procuring the passage of the Burlington 
it Missouri River Railway through this place. He 
has done efficient public service as a civic officer, has 
been Road Supervisor for three years, and at pres- 
ent holds the office of School Treasurer. In his 
politics he is an ardent Democrat, and is known in 
the councils of his party, he having been a dele- 
gate to county conventions. 



SI SAAC BROWN. This plain, unvarnished name 
is quite typical of the character of its owner. 

'!l By his neighbors he is called a good man. and 
this is a term which covers a wide range, and, is 
understood as embracing all the elements of char- 
acter essential to the honest man and the valued 
citizen. His career has been characterized by in- 
dustry and perseverance, as evinced in the building 
up of a good farm, and by that kindly care and at- 
tention to the wants of his family and the well- 
being of his children, which embraces about all the 
Christian virtues. Of one epoch in the life of Mr. 
Brown he is particularly and justly proud, having 
distinguished himself as a Union soldier in the late 
Civil War. 

The branch of the Brown family to which our 
subject traces his orgin descended from substantial 
old English stock. William Brown, his great-grand- 
father, having been born on the other side of the 



f 



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f 




PAWNEE COUNTY. 



165 i i 



Atlantic in that country. There also he was mar- 
ried, Mini among his sons was one William, Jr., the 
grandfather of Isaac of this sketch. William 
Brown, Jr., emigrated to the United States about 
1790, locating with his family in Delaware. There 
his first wife died, and he was soon afterward mar- 
ried to the grandmother of our subject, among 
whose children was Joseph, father of the latter. 
Grandmother Brown also died in Delaware. The 
grand father was married a third time, to Miss Susan 
Johnson, and later removed with his family to 
Ohio, locating with the family of his son Joseph, 
in Pickaway County, where they lived several 
vears. Thence they removed to Muskingum County, 
and there Grandfather Brown and his last wife de- 
parted from the scenes of earth. Joseph Brown 
spent his last days in Ohio. 

The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 13. 
1831, in Muskingum County, Ohio, one of the rich- 
est regions in the Buckeye State, the soil being very 
productive, and the natural resources of more than 
usual excellence. He was reared amid the peaceful 
pursuits of farm life. Desirous of seeing some- 
thing of the Western country he migrated to Mc- 
Lean County. 111., and there afterward made the 
acquaintance of Miss Jane Whitlow, to whom he 
was married .Tune 22. 1871. Mrs. Brown was horn 
Aug. 11, 1852, in Illinois, and is the daughter of 
Solomon and Eve Whitlow, who were natives of 
North Carolina. Our subject and his young wife 
crossed the two great Western rivers, the Missis- 
sippi and Missouri, landing in Merrick County, 
Neb., where they began their wedded life in a 
modes! dwelling. They came to this county in 
the year 1879, and he secured sixty acres of land on 
section 11 in Clay Precinct, and endured in com- 
mon with the people around him the hardships and 
difficulties of life in a new country. He his 
effected good improvements on his land, bringing 
the soil to a good state of cult i vat ion, and erecting 
a substantial set of frame buildings. His farm em- 
braces 100 acres, and is devoted to general agri- 
culture. His plodding industry, his promptness in 
meeting his obligations, and his reliable character, 
generally entitle him to a place in the front ranks 
among the respected citizens of this county. To 
him ami his excellent wife there were born six 

4« 



children, tw^o of whom, one unnamed and Lillie, 
died at a tender age. The survivors are Anna, 
Geraldina, Jane and Francis. They comprise an 
intelligent and interesting group, who have been 
reared to habits of industry, and given a practical 
education. 

Mr. Brown upon the outbreak of the Civil War 
was a resident of Illinois. He watched the progress 
of the strife with deep interest, and in August, 
1 862, there seeming to be no prospect of a speed; 
termination of the war, he resolved to lay aside his 
personal interests and engage in assisting to put 
down the Rebellion. He enlisted in August, 1862, 
in Company A. 62d Ohio Infantry, ami performed 
his duties faithfully until theeloseof the war. His 
regiment operated mostly with the Army of the Po- 
tomac, and Mr. Brown was in four heavy engage- 
ments, receiving a wound in each one. llelirst met 
the enemy at Chapeman's Farm in front of Rich- 
mond, and was successively at Petersburg, Deep Run 
and Ft. Wagner. His fidelity to duty secured him 
the respect of his comrades and the approval of his 
superior officers, likewise the approval of his own 
conscience. He was content to serve as a private, and 
at the close, rejoicing in the success of the Union 
arms, returned to his home in Ohio and resumed the 
peaceful pursuits of farming. It is hardly neces- 
sary to say that his sympathies and his vote are 
uniformly given in support of Republican princi- 
ples. Mr. Brown is not connected with any relig- 
ious organization, hut his estimable wife belongs to 
the United Brethren Church. 



kOUIS PEPPERL. One of the most at- 
tractive homes adjacent to the city of Bur- 
chard, the county seat of Pawnee County, 
is owned and occupied by the gentleman with 
whose name we introduce this sketch. Aside from 
its importance as a valuable piece of property, it is 
of more than ordinary worth to him, as he was 
reared to manhood under the same roof-tree which 
now shelters him, and has for his own the farm 
which his honored father opened up from the wil- 
derness. The buildings are just outside the corpo- 
rate limits, are neat and substantial in character, 



f 



-•fr 



466 



PAWNER COUNTY. 



f 



i 



and with their surroundings complete the ideal 
rural estate. The farm is supplied with good ma- 
chinery, including a flne windmill, with convenient 
water tanks, and everything necessary to stock- 
raising, an industry to which Mr. Pepperl gives 
largely his time and attention. He has excellent 
grades of horses, cattle and swine, and takes pride 
in his achievements in this department of agriculture. 
There is an ample supply of forest and fruit trees 
on the farm, forming groves, and an orchard of 1 50 
trees, while the fields are largely laid off with 
beautiful hedge fencing, which, during the summer 
season especially, form a most pleasing picture in 
the landscape of this region. It comprises 140 
acres of fertile land, which has been brought to a 
high state of cultivation, and which, already veiy 
valuable, is steadily increasing as the city of Bur- 
chard grows in population and importance. 

As a man and a citizen, our subject stands high in 
his community, being enterprising and public- 
spirited, and uniformly willing to aid the enter- 
prises calculated to build up his county. He is in 
the prime of life, having been born Feb. 12, 1860. 
The first twelve years of his life were spent many 
leagues from his present abiding-place, he having 
been born in the little town of Gossawoda, in the 
Austrian Kingdom of Bohemia, where he conned his 
first lessons in the public schools. In 1872 he 
came to America, taking passage on the steamer 
"Nemesis" at the port of Bremen, which landed 
him safely in New York City after a pleasant voy- 
age of seventeen days. Thence he proceeded at 
once to Chicago, and began working in a furniture 
factory at cabinet-making. Two years later, in the 
spring of 1874, he resolved to seek the farther 
West, and came by rail to Table Rock, this county, 
of which they were among the first settlers. They 
camped on the open prairie until the father could 
provide a shelter for his family, and as soon as possi- 
ble proceeded with the cultivation of the soil and 
the opening up of a farm. 

Our subject assisted his father in the improve- 
ment of his land, and also added to the family in- 
come, working by the month in different places as 
he had opportunity. The elder Pepperl was suc- 
cessful in his operations, and in due time retired 
from active labor, while our subject took charge of 



the farm, which later, by agreement, fell to him as 
his share of the estate. Most of the improvements 
which we behold to-day have been effected by the 
present proprietor, and reflect great credit upon his 
industry, his thoroughness as a farmer, and his 
taste and skill. In the biography of his brother, 
Frank Pepperl, found on another page in this work, 
will be noted the parental history. The family is 
numbered among the best element of this county, 
people who have preserved an unblemished record, 
and contributed their full quota in its development, 
morally, socially and financially. 

Mr. Pepperl was reared in the doctrines of the 
Catholic Church, and still adheres to the faith of 
his forefathers, being identified with this church at 
Burchard. Upon becoming a voting citizen he 
identified himself with the Democratic part}', and 
keeps himself well posted in regard to events of 
interest to the intelligent citizen. He has stead- 
fastly avoided the responsibilities of office, pre- 
ferring to give his best efforts to the pursuits of 
farm life. 

OEL D. HARRISON, a substantial and well- 
to-do farmer of Pawnee County, is actively 
identified with the agricultural interests of 
Table Rock, and on his farm of 160 acres on 
section 27 is the famous rock from which this pre- 
cinct derives its name. The Table Rock Mills are 
also here, this place having been a mill site from a 
very early day in the settlement of the county, and 
the mills have been rebuilt and remodeled several 
times. Mr. Harrison may be denominated a pio- 
neer of Southeastern Nebraska, as he came to this 
part of the country in 1866, and first settled in 
Richardson County when it was but sparsely in- 
habited, and he immediately took a hand with 
the early settlers in making improvements and de- 
veloping the county, assisting in making roads, 
building bridges, etc. He also interested himself 
in the establishment of educational facilities, help- 
ing to organize School District No. 51 in that 
county, and he was the first School Director ap- 
pointed for that district, and held that office while 
a resident of the county. The first school was 
held in a loy house that had formerly been used as 



f 



•►4^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4* 



467 




a dwelling. In his capacity of millwright, car- 
penter and contractor. Mr. Harrison built some of 
the first substantial houses erected in Richardson 

County, and he erected the first llouring-mills in 
that county at Falls City, one on the Muddy, and 
also one on the .Missouri at Rulo. In the latter 
place the river has encroached on the mill site, 
which was moved once to keep it out of the water. 
While thus busily' engaged for others and in public 
work, our subject also found time to develop a farm 
from the wild prairie, he having taken up a tract 
of land in sight of Falls City, in the eastern part 
of Richardson County. He made all the usual im- 
provements, erecting necessary farm buildings, and 
doing all that an active and industrious farmer 
would do to increase the value of his place, and lived 
there in comfort for six years. lie then sold his 
property there, and crossing the border into this 
county, located in what is now Sheridan Precinct, 
buying a farm two miles south of Table Rock. 
That was also uncultivated land, and he proceeded 
to put it under admirable tillage, put out hedge, 
grove and orchard, and small fruits, built a fine 
house and other farm buildings, and in other ways 
improved it. lie also took a prominent part in 
educational matters, helped to organize another 
school district, and held the first office of Modera- 
tor, and we may state in this connection that he has 
held the office of School Director for eighteen 
years. In 1882 Mr. Harrison disposed of that 
farm and moved to his present residence to look 
after his mill property, which he has recently sold. 
He managed the mills for one year, but has since 
devoted his time mostly to caring for his farm. 
which lie has under tine cultivation, and with its 
neat buildings and various other improvements, is 
considered one of the best places in the neighbor- 
hood. 

The subject of this biographical notice was born 
in < Ineida County. N. Y., Aug. 9, 1837. He comes 
of an honorable ancestry, and his grandfather, 
Thomas Harrison, who was reared in New Jersey, 
was an early settler of Montgomery County, N. Y.. 
going there in an early day. when the way was 
marked by blazed trees. He was a Revolutionary 
soldier, and after that war made his home in Oneida 
County. Earl Stimpson Harrison, the father of 



our subject, was born in Montgomery County in 
1802. He moved to Oneida County during some 

period of his life, and was there engaged in the 
various employments of millwright, carpenter and 
farmer, also making shoes in the winter seasons. 
He married Miss Luany Bruce, and they became 
the parents of eight children, seven of whom lived 
to maturity. In 1851 he moved with his family 
to Grundy County, 111., and was quite an early 
settler there. Although the railway had just been 
put through that part of the country it wassparselj 
inhabited, and one might travel for miles without 
seeing a house. lie was actively engaged in his 
trade as carpenter and contractor, and with the aid 
of his son. our subject, erected many of the first 
houses at Morris and in .other villages, and our 
Bubject put up the first building in Gardner, and 
continued that business until he came here. The 
father came to Nebraska several years after our 
subject, and with his wife settled in Richardson 
County, Joel building them a house on his farm, 
and in that they lived until the good wdfe died, 
Aug. 28, 1868. After that sad event Mr. Harrison 
returned to Grundy County, 111., where his death 
occurred in 1870. lie was a man of sterling worth, 
whose word was as good as another's bond, and he 
was respected by all who knew him. 

Our subject lived in his native county until he 
was fifteen years old. ami then accompanied his 
parents to their pioneer home in Grundy County. 
111. lie received a sound education, and first en- 
gaged in farming for himself in that county, and 
as before stated, he became a practical, skillful car- 
penter and millwright, learning those trades of his 
father, and carrying them on very successfully 
for a number of years, as we have seen. Jan. 
10, 1858, he and Miss Kosanna Patterson united 
their lives for better or worse, the marriage cere- 
mony that made them one being performed in 
Grundy County. To them have come thirteen 
children, twelve of whom are still living. Some 
of them are already established in life, having re- 
ceived good educations, and the others are being 
well educated. William Henry married Emma 
Jones, and they live at Grand Island; they have 
four children. Joel 1 ).. Jr.. married Amy Noble: 
they live in Belvidere and have one child. Frank- 



JU 



ifr^h-*. 



4G8 



pawnee county. 



~t 



lin A. married Viola Coard, and t lie\- live at Hum- 
boldt. The other children of our subject and his 
wife are as follows: Charles Edgar, Mary A., Thomas 
J., Herbert .1., Mattie, Elliott, Edith, Eugenia and 
Carrie Maud. 

Mrs. Harrison was born in Grundy County. 111.. 
Sept. 12. L843. She is a daughter of William 
Patterson, and lived at home until the time of her 
marriage. Her parents, William and Martha (llal- 
stead) Patterson, were natives of Ohio, and her 
father was born in Brown County, in May. 1805. 
He was one of the pioneers of Grundy County, go- 
ing there in 1842, and became one of its prominent, 
substantial citizens. He took an active part in 
surveying and laying out the county, and he was 
School Director there most of the time after mov- 
ing there, and helped to organize the first school, 
and Mrs. Harrison has a distinct recollection of the 
building in which it was taught. He was a mem- 
ber of the Republican part}' after its formation, 
and used his influence to promote its interests, lie 
had a large farm and did an extensive business as 
a stock-raiser until within a few years of his death, 
when he sold all but ten acres of his land, and lived 
quite a retired life for ten or fifteen years prior to 
his decease, which occurred in March. 1882. His 
first wife died when her daughter, Mrs. Harrison, 
was about six years old, and he married again. By 
his first marriage he had eleven children. 

Mr. Harrison is a strong Republican in his po- 
litical sentiments, and naturally takes a great inter- 
est in the welfare of his country, he being a loyal 
and patriotic citizen. He is a man of sound prin- 
ciples, is kind and considerate in his dealings with 
his neighbors, and in his family is a good husband 
and an indulgent father. 



^IjOIIX II. BRUCH, one of the most prosperous 
and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers 
of Pawnee County, was one of the very first 
settlers on the prairie where he now resides 
in Miles Precinct, and he is conceded to be the 
oldest citizen in point of settlement now living in 
this precinct. When he came here more than thirty 
years ago in the very prime of early manhood the 



scene presented to his eyes was far different from 
that of to-day. He then saw this beautiful country 
almost fresh from the hands of nature, and looking 
forth on the undulating prairies, rolling away in 
the distance as far as the eye could see, he could 
scarce trace a sign of the civilizing influences that 
have transformed the State of Nebraska into a busy 
and prosperous commonwealth. It has not only 
been the good fortune of our subject to witness to 
some extent the reclamation of these vast prairies 
from their wild state, but to have been partly 
instrumental in bringing about this great change. 
in so far. at least, as to improve, by his own hard 
and well-directed labors, one of the finest farms in 
Pawnee County, pleasantly located on section 34, 
Miles Precinct. 

Mr. Bruch was born in the town of Easton, on 
the Delaware River, in Northampton County. Pa.. 
July 29, 1836. His father, likewise named John, 
was also a native of that county, his birth taking 
place Oct. 22. 1801. Frederick Bruch, the grand- 
father of our subject, was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, and there learned the trade of cooper. He 
migrated to this country, and locating in North- 
ampton County, carried on coopering there, having 
a manufactory. He was married in Pennsylvania, 
and there died in 1849, at the age of seventy years. 
The father of our subject learned the cooper's 
trade of his father, and also carried on farming in 
Pennsylvania for many years, lie was married in 
his native county to Miss Mary A. llinkle. likewise 
born in Northampton County, the date of her birth 
being Oct. 11. 1811. Her paternal grandfather was 
a native of Holland, and coming to America he 
located in Philadelphia. He took part in the War 
of 1812. Her father. Joseph llinkle. a native of 
the Quaker City, was a miller by occupation, and 
engaged in milling in Northampton County, on the 
Delaware and Lehigh Rivers, continuing there until 
he retired from business, at the age of eighty years. 
He spent the remainder of his life with his son in 
Ohio, where he died soon after, in 1859. He was a 
capable, worthy man, and a sound Jackson Demo- 
crat in his political views. In 1855 the father of 
our subject started with his family to make a home 
on the prairies of Iowa, and thus became a pioneer 
of Hardin County. He purchased 320 acres of 



.» r^r 



-i^n---* 



l'AWNEE COUNTY. 



4C9 



•t* 



land, and began farming-, but in .Tune, 1856, his 
earthly career was suddenly cut short by a stroke 
of lightning, he at that time being fifty-three years 
Of age. For several years the mother of our sub- 
ject continued to live in Kldora, where she owned 
property, but she is now a beloved inmate of Ins 
household. She is a woman of tine Christian char- 
acter, and an esteemed member of the Baptist 
Church. Her husband likewise belonged to that 
church, and was a Deacon and an exhorter in the 
same. He was a stanch Democrat in his political 
views. To them were born seven children, namely: 
.lames and Emma, who live in Hardin County. Iowa; 
.Mary, who is dead; John; Delia, who lives in Da- 
kota; Cassey, in Chicago; and Ilarland P., in Wash- 
ington Territory. James and Harland were soldiers 
in the late war. .lames enlisted in a Michigan cav- 
alry regiment as bugler, in 1861, was subsequently 
veteranized, and served throughout the entire war. 
Ilarland was in the regular cavalry, and in 1862 
was sent against the Indians. In 18G3 he went 
South, and served until the close of the war as a 
private. 

John Bruch, of this biography, was reared on the 
Pennsylvania homestead which had been the place 
of his birth, receiving limited school advantages in 
the pay and district schools of the neighborhood. 
He was nineteen years of age when he accompanied 
his parents to their home in Hardin County. Iowa, 
and he remained there until he was twenty-three 
years of age, when he established himself in the 
same county in farming and stock-raising. He con- 
tinued thus engaged until the fall of 1866, when he 
sought "green fields and pastures new" in the then 
Territory of Nebraska, making the journey with a 
team, and crossing the Missouri at Nebraska City. 
He immediately located on his present place, then 
comprising 1 (iO acres of raw prairie land. lie ran 
in debt $1 for the homestead. He built a dug-out 
for the shelter of his family, but the following year 

replaced it by a niorecomi lions log house. In the 

busy years that succeeded hi- settlement here he 
broke the soil, and made many valuable improve- 
ments. The second year he set out the first tret's 

for a grove, comprising cottonwood and maples 
freighting them between St. Joseph, Mo., and Paw- 
nee City, and planted a hedge, and now has his 



farm all hedged and cross fenced with wire. In 
1880 he [Hit up his present substantial and roomy* 
residence, and he has elected bams, windmills, 
tanks, etc.. having everything conveniently ar- 
ranged to carry on agriculture to the best advan- 
tage. He now has a grove of ten acres of forest 
trees, and four acres of his land devoted to an 
orchard of 500 choice varieties of fruit trees. Mr. 
Bruch makes a specialty of hog raising, which he 
finds very profitable, and he has the full-blooded 
Poland-China hogs, of which he ships two car- 
loads a year. He also buys and feeds cattle, and 
has a fine herd of graded Short-horns, lie has 
fourteen head of blooded Clydes, using four teams 
with which to operate his farm. lie also engages 
in the business of raising fruits of all kinds. He 
has sold forty acres of his homestead, and not hav- 
ing enough of his own land to carry out all his 
enterprises, he rents an additional 160 acres on the 
'same section, lie has met with rare success in his 
various undertakings, and is now numbered among 
the moneyed men of his neighborhood. 

December 31, 1859, our subject and Miss Sarah 
Turner were united in the bonds of holy matri- 
mony, in MarshaJltown, Iowa, and of their happy 
union nine children have been born, namely: 
Mary, Charles (deceased). James. George, Oscar, 
F.tlie. Earl, Pearl (deceased) and Sadie. Marv is 
attending Doane College at Crete. Neb., is a mem- 
ber of the class of '89, and is fitting herself for 
the foreign mission work; Charles died while a 
Student at Grinnell College. Iowa; .lames attended 
Doane College two years, and is at present engaged 
in teaching; Oscar is attending the academy at 
Pawnee City, and the other children arc at home. 

Mrs. Bruch is well educated, and is possessed in 
an eminent degree of the culture and refinement of 
a true lady. She was born in Mercer County. Pa., 
Nov. I. 1841, and remained an inmate of the 
parental home until her marriage. Her parents 
were the Rev. Robert and .lane (Henry) Turner, 
who were also natives of Mercer County. Pa. Her 
paternal grandfather, who was at one time a farmer 
in Ohio, moved to the aforementioned county, 
and there carried on farming and fruit-raising 
until his death. Mrs. Bruch's maternal grand- 
father was of German descent and of American 



^r 



+~lc+- 



i k 470 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 






birth. He was a farmer in Pennsylvania, and 
while on a visit to his daughter in Galesburg, 111., 
died there, his wife dying in Pennsylvania. Mrs. 
Bruch's father was a minister. He taught school 
while prosecuting his studies, and was ordained at 
Andover, Ohio. He became a missionary in the 
Baptist Church, preaching in different places in 
Ashtabula County, Ohio. In 1851 he removed 
with his family to Henry County, 111., and pre- 
sided over different congregations there. In 1853 
lie crossed the Mississippi River, and took up his 
abode first in Hardin County, and then in Marshall 
County. Iowa. He remained in that State until 
1864, when he came to Pawnee County, and located 
in West Branch Precinct, taking up a tract of land 
under the Homestead Act and improving a farm. 
He also continued active in the ministry, established 
a church on West Branch, and w T as also sent as a 
traveling missionary into Kansas. His good life 
was brought to a close Nov. 30, 1881, at the age of 
seventy years. His wife died in 1853, while yet in 
the prime of life, being only thirty-nine years of 
age. They were the parents of six children, as fol- 
lows: Marquis, Sarah. Anna, Eliza, Mary and 
Henry. The Rev. Mr. Henry was married a second 
time, and of that marriage the following children 
were born: Catherine. Robert, William, Josie and 
Jennie, the last three being dead. 

Mr. Bruch is a well-informed man. of more than 
ordinary intelligence and practical sagacity, and lie 
has consequently been a potent influence for good 
in this community, lie is a great worker in the 
cause of religion, and in him the Baptist Church 
has one of its most valued members. He has been 
connected with that denomination in the capacity 
of Deacon ever since he was nineteen years of age. 
He is now Deacon of the Baptist Church at Pawnee 
City, and is the only charter member now con- 
nected with it. lie helped build the Sunday-school 
of that church, and was the first Superintendent of 
the first Sunday-school in this district. He has 
represented the church at the various associations 
since the church was organized. In regard to poli- 
tics Mr. Bruch is a stalwart supporter of Repub- 
lican principles, and his advice is esteemed in the 
councils of the party at county conventions at 
which he has been a delegate. He has borne a part 




in the administration of local affairs, helped or- 
ganize the precinct, has been a member of the 
School Board for eleven years, assisted in building 
the school-house, and at one time stalled a select 
school, and has in many ways contributed greatly 
to increase the educational advantages of the pre- 
cinct. He was at one time Superintendent of 
Roads, and was active in securing good highways. 

R. JAMES E.HELMES, physician, surgeon 

and druggist, located in Rurchard. is justly 
considered one of the leading members of 
his profession in Pawnee County, notwith- 
standing that -he is comparatively young to have 
gained such eminence. He is well grounded in 
medicine, having given long anil careful study to 
its various branches, and being a graduate of one 
of the best medical schools in the West, and by 
reading keeps himself well abreast of the times, 
and in his extensive practice since establishing 
himself here has won the confidence of the people 
by his successful treatment of difficult eases. 

Our subject is a native of Luzerne County. I'm.. 
born in the town of Blakeley, Oct. 15. 1856. His 
parents, Ziba and Phoebe (Ilelmes) Ilelmes, were 
natives respectively of Luzerne County, Pa., and of 
Steuben County, N. Y. The paternal grandfather. 
Joseph Ilelmes. was a lifelong resident of Penn- 
sylvania. He was a wealthy farmer and owned a 
large farm. He lived to a venerable age, his life 
having been prolonged to its eighty-eighth year. 
The great-grandfather of our subject, who was bi >rn 
in Germany, came to this country some time during 
the eighteenth century, and when the Revolution- 
ary War was being waged was a Tory, and sided 
against the Colonists in their struggle with the 
mother country. Samuel Ilelmes. the maternal 
grandfather of our subject, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and after attaining manhood acted as 
Colonel in the Pennsylvania militia. He was a 
manufacturer and wholesale dealer of shoes, and 
continued in that business until his death, at the 
ripe old age of seventy-five, accumulating a large 
property. 

The father of our subject was reared on a Penn 



T 



<- 



1" 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



— ••» 
471 



4- 



-p 



sylvania farm. He engaged in agriculture and 

also managed :i sawmill on the Lackawanna River. 
He married in New York, but continued to reside 
in Pennsylvania, working at the occupations men- 
tioned until 1863, when he moved to Illinois. He 
engaged in farming in Grundy County, that state. 
and made his home there until his premature death 
at the age of forty-five, in 1876. In his demise. 
while yet in the prime of life, his community lost 
a valued citizen, he having been a man of stable 
character, of good mental gifts, wise and ready 
as a counselor, and a true friend to those about 
him. Of that marriage three children were born, 
namely: James F... Mattie .1. and Jennie E. The 
mother of our subject continued to make her home 
in Illinois until 1880, when she removed to Johnson 
County, Neb;, and married John P. Swallow, a coal 
and grain dealer in Burchard. She is an earnest 
and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

Our subject was a boy of nine years when he ac- 
companied his parents to Illinois, and there the re- 
maining years of his boyhood and youth were 
passed. He obtained the basis of a liberal educa- 
tion in the public schools of Grundy County, and 
in 1 S75 entered the Morris Classical Institute, where 
he pursued an excellent course of study for two 
years. His father having died in the meantime, 
when he left school lie took charge of the home 
farm, and engaged in agriculture thereon until 
1878. In thai year lie removed to Sterling. John- 
son Co., Neb,, hut after a stay in that place of 
about a year, he went back to Illinois. He returned 
to Nebraska in a short time, in the spring of 1879, 
coming with a team. He bought a farm of eighty 
acres near Sterling, ami lived with his mother while 
operating the farm, devoting his leisure time to the 
study of medicine with Dr. Shipman, of Sterling. 
In the winter seasons he taughl school. In the 
winter of 1.XJS1-S2 OUV subject attended the Keokuk 
Medical College, of Iowa, and in the spring of 
1882 he took the post-graduate course in the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surg< s, at Joplin, Mo., and 

was graduated from that institution. He then 
came to Burchard and established himself in his 
profession and has built up a large practice. He is 
a true gentleman and is very popular with all 



classes, as he is always ready to respond to the calls 
of the suffering, whether they be poor or rich, and 
does all in his power to relieve them. In the fall 
of 1882 the Doctor opened a drug-store, and in 
L883 bought his present building, increased his 

stock of g Is, and now has a large assortment of 

goods and drugs. His office is in the store. The 
Doctor is a shrewd, practical business man. and has 
made considerable money since his settlement here, 
which he has invested judiciously, and has put 
some of it in town lots, showing his faith in the 
future of the town. 

Dr. Helmes was married near Sterling, in 1879, 
to Miss Jennie M. Harris, and of their mar- 
riage one child has been born. Hazel. Mrs. Helmes 
was born in Iroquois County. 111. Her parents 
were E. A. and Jane Harris. Mrs. Helmes was 
finely educated, and prior to her marriage was suc- 
cessfully engaged in teaching. She is a woman of 
rare character, who fills in a perfect measure the 
relations of wife, mother and friend. She is an 
exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church. 

The Doctor is a conspicuous figure in political 
and social circles of Pawnee County. He is one of 
the leaders of the Republican party, and is influ- 
ential in the County and State Conventions of his 
party, which he attends as delegate. In the fall of 
1888 he was candidate for nomination to the Legis- 
lature. The Doctor is prominently identified with 
the I. ( ). O. E. in Burchard, and has passed through 
the various chairs. He is at present County Coro- 
ner, and is also examining physician for the Gales- 
burg Life Insurance Company. 

'^F^ A. ARNEAL. Although this gentleman 
'Ift^V ' ias '' L ' en a l ' cs ' ( ' cilt °f Plum Creek Precinct 
^^^y but five years lie has already won his way to a 
conspicuous place among its representative citizens. 
He is the present Justice of the Peace of this place, 
and is a member of the Scl I Board, and is a well- 
known figure in social and religious circles. He is 
one of the most enterprising and practical farmers 
in the precinct, and his farm on section 30, with 
its man}' valuable improvements, compares favor- 
abty with the best in the neighborhood. It is well 



s well A 



472 



^K-* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4 



watered by Long Branch, and is neatly fenced with 
hedge and wire. There are groves and an or- 
chard of 100 trees on it, the farm buildings are 
substantial and in good order. Although Mr. Ar- 
neal pays much attention to the culture of corn, he 
by no means neglects other branches of agri- 
culture, and is very successful in raising cattle and 
horses, and hogs, all of good grades, and he keeps 
two teams of horses for his farm work. 

Our subject comes of a mingled Irish and Scotch- 
Irish ancestry. His father, Thomas Arneal, was 
born in County Tyrone, Ireland. His grandfather, 
Alex Arneal, who was of Irish birth, emigrated 
from his native island to America in 1810, when 
the father of our subject was a lad of ten years. 
He located in Guernsey County, Ohio, in the town- 
ship of Antrim. He was one of the first settlers in 
that place, and cleared a farm from the forests on 
Sugar Tree Forks, finally dying in that locality at 
the age of seventy-three. He gave the ground for 
the United Presbyterian Church in Antrim, and 
was an active member of the same. The father of 
our subject, coming to this country when a boy, 
grew to man's estate amid the pioneer influences of 
his father's forest home in Ohio. He received a 
very good education for the times, and acted as a 
schoolmaster at night for fifteen years. He estab- 
lished himself in the general merchandise business 
in Antrim, and carried it on with good financial 
success until 1850, and then being elected to the 
responsible position of County Treasurer, he sold 
out his business. He filled the office mentioned 
with so much satisfaction to his constitutents that 
he was re-elected in 1852. In 1854 he bought a 
farm in that count}', and was actively engaged in 
farming and stock-raising until 18G2, when he dis- 
posed of his farming interests and retired to Cam- 
bridge to live on his income, free from care and 
toil the remaining years of his life, and there his 
death occurred in 1876, at the ripe old age of 
seventy-six years. He was a man of clear judg- 
ment, cool head, and so conducted public affairs 
and his own private interests as to inspire confi- 
dence in his ability and integrity. He was a sound 
Democrat in his political sentiments, and religiously, 
a member of the United Presbyterian Church, as 
was also his wife. He had the misfortune to lose 

4« 



her companionship and assistance while she was yet 
in the prime of life, she dying in 1855, at the age 
of forty-three years. To them had been born 
four children: John P., deceased; T. A., Robert II. 
and Margaret J. John P. enlisted in 1861 in the 
15th Ohio Infantry, Army of the West, and died 
in the hospital at Mumfordsville, Ky., in 18G2. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Sarah Paxton, and she was born in Pennsyl- 
vania. Her father, John Paxton, who was of 
Scotch-Irish descent, moved from Pennsylvania to 
Harrison County, Ohio, at an early day, and located 
on a 160-acre tract of timber land in the township 
of Cadiz, and there died in 1850, at eighty years 
of age. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and a 
rank Abolitionist politically. 

T. A. Arneal was born in Antrim, Ohio, Aug. 
20, 1847. He received his education partly at 
Cambridge, Ohio, and remained an inmate of his 
father's home until he was sixteen years old, and 
then, inspired with youthful valor and patriotic 
love of country, he enlisted May 2, 1864, in Com- 
pany D, 160th Ohio Infantry, under the command 
of Gens. Sigel and Sheridan, and was mustered in at 
Zanesville. Hd and his comrades were dispatched 
to the Shenandoah Valley, where they took part in 
the engagements at Cedar Creek, Maryland Heights, 
June 6, and skirmished up and down the valley un- 
der the gallant leadership of Phil Sheridan. Our 
subject ilid guard duty at Maryland Heights until 
Sept. 8, 1864, when his regiment was mustered out 
and honorably discharged at Zanesville. During 
his term of service Mr. Arneal, notwithstanding 
his boyish age, displayed the courage, coolness 
and patience of a veteran in the face of the enemy, 
and his military record is one in which he and his 
family may take a just pride. After leaving the 
array our subject returned to his father's home, and 
resumed his studies that had been so interrupted, 
and continued his attendance at school until he was 
twenty years of age, thus securing a liberal educa- 
tion. After that he came to Nebraska, performing 
the entire journey with a team. He took up a 
homestead of 160 acres on Turkey Creek. In 
1869 he left his land and went back to Ohio, where 
he engaged in farming on rented land, continuing 
there until the spring of 1878, when he removed to 






■*•■ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



=s= r* 



473 



Cedar County, and located near Clarence, and was 
actively engaged in agriculture until the spring of 
1884. At that time he came to his present place 
of residence in Plum Creek Precinct. There are 
in his farm 160 acres of exceedingly fertile soil, 
and our subject has completed the improvements 
begun before his purchase. 

Mr. Arneal has been twice married, the first 
time in Cambridge, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1871, to Miss 
Margaret Mackey. She was born in Cambridge, 
Aug. 1, 1847, and died Feb. 15, 1870, leaving 
many friends, in whose hearts her kind disposition 
had won her a warm place to sorrow with her fam- 
ily in their loss. Of that union three children were 
born — Luella M., Albert II. and Elmer J., the latter 
two being twins. Elmer is in Cambridge, Ohio; 
the others are at home. 

Mr. Arneal was married to his present estimable 
wife, formerly Miss Agnes M. Duff, in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1878. Mrs. Arneal is a lady 
in every way, is a good housekeeper, and cordially 
seconds her husband's bounteous hospitality. Her 
parents are William and Julia (Paul) Duff, natives 
of Ohio. Her paternal grandfather, David Duff, 
was born in Pennsylvania, and was of Irish descent. 
He moved to Muskingum County, Ohio, in the 
early years of its settlement, and there spent the 
rest of his life, engaging in farming until his death 
in 1865, Andrew' Paul, Mrs. Arneal's maternal 
grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and coming 
to America, located in Belmont County, Ohio. He 
subsequentl} r moved to Guernsey County, the same 
State, and farmed there until 1 859, when he went 
to Scott County, Iowa, where he died. Mrs. Ar- 
neal's father was a farmer in Muskingum Count}-. 
In the fall of 1885 he sold his property in Ohio, 
and coining to this State with his family, is now 
living in retirement in Pawnee City. He is sixty- 
five years old, and his wife is sixty-three. They 
arc devoted members of the United Presbyterian 
Church, and lead exemplary lives. They have 
eight children, namely : David K. (deceased), Ag- 
nes M., .bine. Eliza M., Andrew P., Sadie A., 
Clarissa, and James W. (deceased.) The marriage 
of our subject and his wife has been blessed to 
them by the birth of five children, as follows: 
Annie M., William C, Jessie A., Robert 15. and 



John F. Mrs. Arneal was born in Sago, Muskin- 
gum Co., Ohio, Aug. 1, 1850, and there she grew 
to maturit}'. After reaching womanhood she was 
engaged in business in Bloomfield, Ohio, as a dress- 
maker and milliner until her marria«re. 

o 

Mr. Arneal is a man of unexceptional habits and 
high principles, and he has had the confidence of 
the people among whom he has come to make his 
home from the very first. He is connected with 
the G. A. R., belonging to W. A. Butler Post No. 
172, at Burchard. He is influential in local poli- 
tics, giving his support to the Republican party, 
and has been a delegate to County and State Con- 
ventions. Both he and his wife are active members 
of the United Presbyterian Church at Liberty, of 
which he is an Elder, and has been so ever since he 
was twenty-four years old. 



/2=^)E0RGE BUSH. The farming and stock- 
jl( (=7 raising interests of Pawnee County have 
^^jj! recognized Mr. Bush as one of their most in- 
dustrious and successful representatives. In the 
prosecution of his calling he has accumulated a 
good property, and forms one of the solid factors 
among the most important interests of this section. 
He was born near the city of Bristol, in Gloucester- 
shire, England, Nov. 23, 1829, and is the son of 
Thomas Bush, who for many j'ears was occupied as 
a book-keeper for one of the most extensive coal 
companies in his count}'. 

The early life of young Bush was spent in his 
native place with his parents, whose family con- 
sisted of two sons and one daughter. The mother 
in her girlhood was Miss Hannah Colburn. George 
was the second child, and the family lived a num- 
ber of years on a small piece of land one and a half 
miles from the coal works. He was subjected to 
careful home training, and pursued his studies for 
a time in a select school. He remained a member 
of the parental family until twenty-three years of 
age, and was then married to Miss Elizabeth Shep- 
peard, who, like himself, was a native of Bristol, 
and the daughter of Thomas Sheppeard. They 
lived for a short, time in their native county, our 
subject making arrangements to start for America. 



♦^ 



=t=r» 



474 



■+* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4- 



Mr. Bush in the spring of 1856 gathered to- 
gether his little family, and, bidding adieu to the 
friends and associations of his youth, set sail on the 
long voyage across the Atlantic to seek a home in 
the New World. They made but a brief sojourn 
after landing in New York City, migrating directly 
northwestward to Wisconsin, and settling on a 
small farm of forty acres in Dodge County. Much 
of this was timber, and Mr. Bush cleared a con- 
siderable portion of it, bringing the soil to a good 
state of cultivation. 

Our subject, however, was destined to a great 
ntlliction, as his wife died the year following his 
settlement in Wisconsin, leaving one child three 
days old. This child, a daughter, was named 
Elizabeth, became the wife of John E. Beck, and is 
now deceased. Mr. Bush five years later was mar- 
ried a second time, to Harriet J., eldest daughter 
of Alonzo and Hannah C. (Ayres) Mace. This lady 
was born Feb. 1 1, 1823, and removed with her par- 
ents to Dodge County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Mace 
were from New York State. By a former husband 
Mrs. Bush became the mother of one daughter, but 
of her union with our subject there are no children. 
Her daughter, Cornelia A., is the wife of Benjamin 
H or ton, and they live near Table Rock, in this 
count}'. 

In the fall of 1863 Mr. Bush came to this county, 
settling first on a tract of land south of Pawnee 
City, where lie lived three years, then removed to 
his present farm of 160 acres, the first eight}' acres 
of which he obtained by entering from the Govern- 
ment, and the second eighty by homesteading. He 
has twenty acres of timber, and the balance of his 
land has been brought to a good state of cultiva- 
tion. He has a substantial farm dwelling, which 
was erected at a time when material was very 
costly, and had to be hauled along distance. Adja- 
cent to this are the barns and other structures nec- 
essary for his convenience. There are fruit trees 
and the other accessories which assist in the com- 
pletion of the modern homestead. 

Of late years Mr. Bush has turned his attention 
considerably to stock-raising, making a specialty 
of cattle and swine, the former of a high-grade 
breed, and the latter high-grade Poland-China. He 
is a man who has, in the midst of many cares 



-*•■ 



and labors, borne in mind the interests of his 
adopted county, and given his support to the en- 
terprises calculated for the good of her people. 
He began without means or other resources than 
his own indomitable energy, and it would seem 
that he might look upon the results of his labors 
with abundant satisfaction. He votes the straight 
Republican ticket, having been an adherent of this 
party since its organization. Aside from serving 
as a member of the School Board he has carefully 
avoided the responsibilities of office. 

The father of Mrs. Bush was an extensive farmer 
and land-owner, being the proprietor of three farms 
in New York State. He departed this life at his 
home, in December, 1863. The mother is still 
living, making her home with her youngest daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Hiram Cora, of Michigan, and is now in 
the eighty-sixth year of her age. To her and her 
husband there were born six children, namely: 
Sarah, who died at the age of twelve years; Henry, 
Harriet J., John L., Amanda and Charlotte. 

*** "f ' S ' lt'S ' iI 1 * *°* ' 



\f?OSEPH K. GOUDY is numbered among the 
leading attorneys of Pawnee City. He was 
born near the city of Springfield, Clarke Co., 
iftsM/,/ Ohio. April 28, 1851, and was the youngest 
in a family of twelve children, eight sons and four 
daughters, seven of whom survive. Thomas B. 
Goudy, the father of our subject, was also a na- 
tive of the Buckeye State, and married Miss Nancy 
P. Kirkpa trick, of the same. William Goudy, the 
paternal grandfather, was one of the pioneers of 
Clarke County, and traced his ancestry to Scotland. 
The Kirkpatricks were of equally good stock, being 
Scutch-Irish. Grandfather Goudy made good head- 
way as a tiller of a portion of the soil of Ohio in 
its primitive days, ami there his bones were laid to 
rest. 

Thomas B. Goudj', the father of our subject, also 
followed agriculture during his early years in his na- 
tive county of Adams, removing thence to Clarke 
County in 1811. There he was married to Miss 
Kirkpatrick, and they lived in Clarke County until 
1854. We next find them in Warren County, HI., 
where they sojourned until 1883, when they crossed 



*f 



■&r> 



f 



ssv^- 





•*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



477 i i 



the Father of Waters and took up their abode in 
Pawnee City, this county, where his death took 
place in February, 1885. The mother died at the 
home of Dr. Sterrett, in the city of Philadelphia, 
Pa. 

The subject of this sketch pursued his earl}' stud- 
ies in the district schools of Warren County, 111., 
and later entered Monmouth College, of which he 
was a student three years. Thereafter he was oc- 
cupied as a teacher several years. Later he took 
charge of Freedman's College in Vicksburg, Miss., 
sojourning there until 1873. We next find him in 
Shelbyville, Tenn., as Professor of Mathematics in 
Bedford Seminary. A year later he entered the 
law office of Stewart & Ralston, in St. Louis, Mo., 
and after a year's residence there returned to Mon- 
mouth, 111. In the latter place he was tendered the 
position of Principal of the High School, which 
position he held three years, and was Professor of. 
Mathematics in the academy one year. Afterward 
he read law two years with John T. Morgan, the 
Register in Bankruptcy. The latter was afterward 
appointed Chief Justice of Idaho Territory. He 
was removed from this oflice by the Cleveland ad- 
ministration. 

Upon leaving Monmouth the second time Mr. 
Goudy repaired to Beardstown, 111., where he be- 
came Principal of the public schools, conducting 
these as such four years, and still pursuing his law 
studies as time and opportunity permitted, lie was 
admitted to practice in the Supreme Court in No- 
vember, 1880, and, soon afterward emigrating to 
the farther West, established himself in Pawnee 
City, where he has since devoted his exclusive at- 
tention to his law practice. 

In Monmouth, 111., Mr. Goudy was wedded, in 
August, 1872, to Miss Ella R., daughter of Col. W. 
I). Henderson, an old and prominent citizen of 
Warren County. Mrs. Goody was born Nov. 16, 
1850, in Mercer County. 111., and of her union with 
our subject there are six children, one son and live 
daughters. They were named respectively: Frank 
R., Maude, Ilallie, Lucy I)., Helen G. and Joe. 

Mr. Goudy is recognized as a man of more than 
ordinary ability, and in 1880 was appointed Super- 
visor of the Census. In 188G he was elected County 
Attorney, and the year following was made City 

«« 



Attorney, being reappointed to this latter oflice in 
1 888. He occupies a good position socially and 
financially, is a decided Republican in politics, and, 
in religious matters, a member of the United Pres- 
byterian Church. 



*»~^©£r*- 



i-^O^-K* - 



*fw.' W. REES. Prominent among the young 
farmers of Mission Creek Precinct, who are 
assiduously devoting themselves with marked 
I success to the maintenance of the extensive 
agricultural interests of Pawnee County, is the sub- 
ject of this sketch. His farm on section 20, Mis- 
sion Creek Precinct, is classed as one of the best 
farms in this part of the country, and among its 
many valuable improvements are a large and roomy 
residence and a commodious barn. 

Our subject is a son of one of Pawnee County's 
pioneers, his father, Christian Rees, who lives with 
him, coming here at an early day, and buying this 
farm of the Government, developing it from the 
wild prairie, and as his son assisted him in bringing 
it to its present high state of cultivation, although 
he was a mere lad when he came here, he may also 
be styled a pioneer. 

The father is a native of Nassau, Germany, his 
birth taking place Jan. 5, 1830. His father, Ma- 
thias Rees, was a native of the same place, where 
he carried on farming and also held the position of 
overseer of the forest lands. He died in the Father- 
land in 1851, at the age of fifty-eight years. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Anuiee Itein, also a 
native of Nassau, died in 1844, at the age of forty- 
nine years. Michael Rees, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, was a wealthy farmer in his native 
Germany, and owned a large estate. Christian 
Rees began life as a farmer in Germany, but when 
he was twenty-three years of age he emigrated to 
America, in 1853, embarking at Antwerp on the 
sailing-vessel "Ashland." He came very near not 
reaching the promised land, as the ship was wrecked 
in the English Channel, and he had a very narrow 
escape from drowning. He finally succeeded in 
crossing the ocean, and landing in New York, pro- 
ceeded to Lawrenceburg, Ind., and thence went to 

— •►- 



i l 478 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



+L, 



*t 



Greenup Couuty, Ky., and was there married, 
March 10, 1855, to Miss Mary E. Miller. She was 
born in Aargau, Switzerland, Dec. 1, 1835, a daugh- 
ter of Rudolph Miller, a native of the same coun- 
try. He was a farmer and owned a large farm. He 
took part in the Swiss Revolution of 1848. In 1854 
he emigrated from the land of his nativity with his 
family, and locatsd in Portsmouth, Ohio. He was 
there employed as a day laborer until his removal 
to Greenup County, where he worked in an iron 
foundry. Later he went to UeKalb County, 111., 
becoming an early settler thereof in 1858. He 
bought land there, improved it, and is still actively 
engaged in farming his homestead, notwithstanding 
his advanced age, he being seventy-eight years old. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Leis- 
cher, was born in Switzerland seventy-two years 
ago. She and her husband are devoted members of 
the Evangelical Methodist Episcopal Church. Ru- 
dolph Miller, the maternal great-grandfather of our 
subject, was a wealthy farmer of Switzerland. He 
was a soldier in the Swiss Revolution, and died in 
1847, at the age of fifty -one years. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rees, the parents of 
our subject, removed to UeKalb County, 111., and 
two years later found them in LaSalle County, 
the same State. Mr. Rees began farming there, 
buying a tract of land, and besides cultivating the 
soil raised stock in that section of the country until 
1870, when he»sold out his property in Illinois and 
came to Pawnee County, and since that time has 
been identified with its agricultural interests. He 
bought 160 acres of Government land on Mission 
Creek, which forms the farm now managed by him- 
self and son, and in the busy years that followed 
his settlement on it made numerous valuable im- 
provements, lie being a skillful and industrious far- 
mer. Both parents make their home with their son 
of whom we write, he being their only living child, 
Their daughter Emma became the wife of J. E. 
Blair, and died in Colorado, Jan. 29, 1881, and 
her remains were brought home for burial. 

Our subject was born in the city of Chicago, III., 
March 18, 1858. He was quite young when his 
parents settled in LaSalle County, and there a part 
of his boyhood was passed on a farm. He was 
> twelve years old when the family came to Nebraska, 



<•- 



coming from Henry, 111., on the Illinois Central 
Railway to St. Louis, thence up the Missouri River 
to Atchison, Kan., and from there they drove to 
this place with a team. He had good school ad- 
vantages, and being an intelligent, wide-awake lad, 
he made good use of his time to gain an education. 
After coming here he was of great assistance to his 
father in breaking the prairie, and was kept busy 
tilling the soil. He subsequently went into part- 
nership with his father, and the farm is now in a 
fine condition, with hedge and wire fences, a new 
house, barns, etc., and the land under admirable 
tillage. The Messrs. Rees do general farming and 
pay much attention to raising fine grades of stock. 
Their cattle are of the Short-horn breed, and they 
also buy and feed cattle. They have likewise eight 
head of graded Clyde horses. 

Our subject was married to Miss Sophia Mollet, 
in Pawnee City, Nov. 19, 1884. She was born in 
St. Louis, Mo., June 11, 18GG, to Edward and 
Mary (Gruby) Mollet. Her father was born in 
West Baden and her mother in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
German}'. They were married in America, and 
after marriage located for awhile in St. Louis, where 
Mr. Mollet was engaged as a confectioner, which 
business he carried on in Washington, where he was 
married, and in other places, and at last opened a 
confectioner's shop in Chicago, III., where he died 
soon after the great fire, his death occurring in 
1873. Mrs. Rees's mother, who is a woman of much 
ability and force of character, worked her own way. 
She finally removed to Nebraska, and bought the 
hotel at Burchard, which is run on the European 
plan. She is an earnest follower of the Catholic- 
religion, and is now fifty-two years old. She has 
two children living, Minnie and Sophia. The union 
of our subject and his wife has been blessed to them 
by the birth of two children, Emma E. and Fred R. 

Mr. Rees is a man of much enterprise, and is in- 
fluential in public affairs, discharging with charac- 
teristic faithfulness and ability the responsible of- 
fices that have been entrusted to him. lie is a mem- 
ber of the School Board, was Justice of the Peace 
two years, and is Supervisor of Roads. He is an 
active member of the German Evangelical Synod in 
Gage County, Neb., and his father is a charter 
member of the church. The latter is a firm Repub- 

♦► 



•►Hl^ 



^11 <*• 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



479 



lican, while our subject is identified with the Union 
Labor party. He is an intelligent member of the 
Grange. Mrs. Rees is a very amiable lad}', and 
cordially seconds the hospitality of her husband, 
and carefully looks after the comfort of her vis- 
itors. 

The grandfather of Mrs. Rees was compelled to 
leave France with the Huguenots under the penalty 
of death if they remained in France. Mrs. Rees 
has changed her membership from the Catholic 
Church to the Evangelical Synod, or society, and 
worships with her husband. On another page we 
give a fine lithographic view of the residence of 
Mr. Rees. 



4 



y)lLLIAM A, FRANK. Pawnee County con- 
tains its full quota of young men 'who fill 
^^ divers and honorable positions in the vari- 
ous departments of life. It is the purpose of this 
sketch to introduce to the reader such a one, who 
has carved out for himself financial prosperity, and 
attained to a position which reflects great credit 
upon his perseverance, while his natural abilities 
have made of this perhaps a task less tedious than 
to many others. A native of the Fatherland, 
he was born in Prussia, (let. 18, I860, and when a 
lad of six years was brought by his parents to 
America. His father sett led upon a tract of land 
from which has been built up the present home- 
stead of our subject, and where William A. has 
spent the greater part of his life. 

Godtfried Frank, the father of our subject, is a 
native of the same Province as his son, and of pure 
German ancestry. He came to this country 
equipped with the substantial qualities inherited 
from his forefathers, and proved to be one of the 
men most needed in the development of a new 
country. He began at first principles in the con- 
struction of a homestead, settling upon a tract of 
land upon which there were no improvements what- 
ever. He planted fruit and forest trees, and the 
first year of his residence here began the building 
of a house, which was not entirely finished until 
1881. It then was more than ordinarily convenient 



and substantial, and make8 a most comfortable 
dwelling for the family. The elder Frank was a 
man of intelligence, believing in the establishment 
and maintenance of schools, and assisted in organ- 
izing the school district of his neighborhood, and 
was one of its first officers. He was also active 
in the building of the first bridges in the precinct, 
and although a man well qualified to hold official 
positions, steadily declined becoming an office- 
holder. At the time of his arrival in America he 
was a man of forty years, having been born in 182(5. 

The parents of our subject were married in their 
native Province, the mother being in her girlhood 
Miss Minnie Wartemburg. In Germany there were 
born to them four children, two of whom died be- 
fore the emigration to America. The child living 
besides our subject is his sister Eliza, now the wife 
of Mr. Gottfried Burow, now living in Table Rock 
Precinct; they are the parents of eight children. 
Godtfried Frank and his excellent wife are still liv- 
ing at the old homestead. 

The Frank family in the pioneer days suffered 
the usual hardships of life in a new settlement, 
their nearest markets and trading-posts being at 
ISrownville and Nebraska City. They distin- 
guished themselves as people courteous, obliging 
and hospitable, and are highly spoken of by all 
who know them. 

Our subject assisted his parents around the home- 
stead during his boyhood and youth, becoming 
familiar with farm pursuits, and acquiring his edu- 
cation in the common school. When ready to es- 
tablish domestic ties of his own, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Arcelia Hall, the wedding tak- 
ing place in Pawnee City, July ■">. 1881. 

Mrs. Arcelia (Hall) Frank was born in Missouri. 
.Ian. 17. 1859, and came with her parents to Ne- 
braska when a small child. The latter were Charl- 
ton and Zuritha (Plaster) Hall, and they are now 
residents of Humboldt. Mr. Hall was born in 
Springfield, 111., in 1828, and lived there until his 
marriage with Miss Plaster. Two years later they 
moved to the vicinity of Watson, Mo., and subse- 
quently crossed the river into P.rownville. Neb. 
They lived there twelve years, and then came to 
Richardson County, settling first one and one-half 
miles northeast of the residence of Mr. Frank. The 

♦► 



f 



.►4^ 



480 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



f 



"f 



father, taking up 160 acres of land, labored as a 
tiller of the soil until retiring from the active 
duties of life. He is now living with his estimable 
wife at a pleasant home in Humboldt. Theo. Hall, 
a brother of Mrs. Frank, is a well-to-do farmer of 
Table Rock Precinct, and the family is generally 
respected as representing the solid and reliable ele- 
ment of the community. The parental household 
included ten children, eight of whom are living, 
making their homes mostly in Nebraska. Mrs. 
Hall was also a native of Illinois, and born in 1830. 

Mr. Frank, in his first farming operations, de- 
voted his labors mainly to the raising of grain, but 
finally found that the breeding of live stock was 
likely to be a more profitable industry, and to this 
he has given his attention of late years. Father 
and son worked together in this direction, and 
dealt largely in full-blooded registered stock. They 
make a specialty of Chester-White swine, which 
they were the first to introduce in this precinct, 
and one of their most important purchases was ob- 
tained from the noted firm of L. B. Silver A- Co.. 
of Cleveland, Ohio, the Franks paving $65 for two 
young pigs. From that beginning they have real- 
ized fine results. This breed of swine is claimed 
to be exempt from cholera. The Franks have also 
some fine horses and cattle. Our subject has thus 
made a fine beginning toward a competency, and is 
looked upon as one of the future men of influence 
in this part of the county. 

To William and Arcelia Frank there have been 
born two children: Florence May, Dec. 8, 1882. and 
Ernest, Feb. 24, L885. Our subject and his little 
family occupy an addition to the old family resi- 
dence, and are surrounded with all the comforts of 
life. William A. Frank is owner of a fine draft 
stallion of excellent blood, one-half Red-Eye, and 
one-half Clyde, which was brought from Illinois. 
He is a handsome cherry bay. sixteen bands high, 
weighing 1,200 pounds, and of fine symmetrical pro- 
portions. His sire was considered by many one of 
the best stock horses in Illinois, taking as many as 
151 premiums at the various fairs where he was on 
exhibition. Mr. Frank is also the owner of a 
blooded mare of fine points, and has several blooded 
colls of different ages. There are indications that 
in the near future he will attain an enviable repu- 




tation in the live-stock line, being a fine judge of 
horses and swine especially. In politics he is a 
stanch Republican. 

The fine, comfortable home of the Franks is 
shown on another page. 

FX.IAMIN II. FULLER, Treasurer of Paw- 
nee Count}', and having his headquarters at 
Pawnee City, arrived upon the soil of Ne- 
braska in June. 1866, and homesteaded 160 
acres of land on West Branch, ten miles southwest 
of the city. Upon this he effected considerable im- 
provement and it still remains his property. In 
the meantime, as a man of more than ordinary in- 
telligence and value as a citizen, he made such 
good headway in the opinions of the people of this 
county that after filling other positions of trust and 
responsibility, he was. in the spring of 1879, 
elected Sheriff. He served acceptably the two 
terms, four years in all, and was then made Cashier 
of the Rank of Burchard, which position he filled 
eighteen months. In 1885 he was elected County 
Treasurer, and re-elected in 1887, still holding the 
position. 

A New Englander by birth and training, our 
subjeel was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., May 12, 
1X2K. He was the youngest child and only son in 
a family of five children, the offspring of Benjamin 
and Sarah (Abbott) Fuller. The father was also a 
native of Vermont and a hatter by trade. The 
mother was the daughter of William Abbott, and 
was born and reared to womanhood in New Hamp- 
shire. The parents after their marriage settled in 
Vermont, and the father met his death by drown- 
ing in 1836, when Benjamin II., our subject, was a 
little lad eight years ®f age. 

Young Fuller, the year following the death of 
his father, practically started out in life for him- 
self, working among the people of his neighbor- 
hood at whatever he could find to do, and attend- 
ing school during the winter season. He continued 
a resilient of his native State until a young man of 
twenty-two years, then set out for California and 
occupied himself in mining until the summer of 
1854. He then started back on the long journey 



r 



•►HH^ 



■fc ■■ ^*- 



PAWNKK COUNTY. 



LSI 



T= 



to Vermont, ami engaged in farming three years, 
after which he entered a gristmill, where he worked 
until after the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1.S62 
he enlisted in Company K, 3d Vermont Infantry, 
which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, 
and participated in many of the important battles 
fought by that division, being at Williamsburg, 
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and in all 
inn-lit iii fourteen battles, receiving only one slight 
wound and escaping capture by the rebels. lie was 
also elected Captain of Company 1!. .'id Vermont 
Infantry. His regiment formed a part of the 6th 
Army Corps and was mostly under the command 
of Gen. Sedgwick. At the close of the war Mr. 
Fuller received his honorable discharge at Burling- 
ton, N't., in July, 1 865, and in October following 
started again for the West and settled in Marshall 
County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for a 
number of years. His next removal was to Ne- 
braska Territory. 

Mr. Fuller was married, in March, 1855, to Miss 
Isabelle 1!. Harvey, of Harriet, Yt., daughter of 
Claude Harvey, of the same State. Mrs. Fuller ac- 
companied her husband to the West, and they now 
occupy a pleasant home in Pawnee City, where 
they have made many friends. Thej r have a bright 
and interesting family of six children, who are 
named respectively: Frank B., Claude II.. Mary F... 
Louie L., William A. and Jennie P. Mr. Fuller, 
politically, votes the Straight Republican ticket, and 
socially, is a member of the G. A. K. He has been 
identified with the Presbyterian Church for the last 
twenty-two years. A peaceful and law-abiding 
citizen, he represents the solid element of his com- 
munity, and is held in general respect. 

f~^IIILLIP GOIN, one of the successful far- 
Jl) mors of Plum Creek Precinct, also one of 
its oldest settlers, is a man of excellent 
] \ business ability, and as a citizen of no mean 
prominence, has energetically contributed his share 
toward the material, educational, moral and relig- 
ious advancement of this part of Pawnee County. 
He was born near Tazewell, Claiborne Co., Tenn., 
Aug. 15, 1846, and his father, Sterling Coin, was 



also a native of the same county. Levi Coin, the 
grandfather of subject, an American-born citizen 
of Irish descent, was an early settler of Tennessee, 
and was numbered among the well-to-do farmers of 
his time in Claiborne Count}-, and there he died in 
1863, when he was over eighty years old. His sou 
Sterling was reared on his farm, and after attaining 
man's estate he married Mary Keck, who was a na- 
tive of the same county as himself. After mar- 
riage the father of our subject continued on the old 
homestead, buying the heirs out, and was for many 
years extensively engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. In 1886 he sold the old place and turned 
his attention to hotel-keeping in Tazewell, Tenn., 
where he is now living at the age of seventy years. 
He is a man of great force, and is highly respected 
iii his neighborhood. His estimable wife closed her 
eyes to the scenes of earth while yet scarcely past 
the prime of life, dying Dec. 22, 1868, when forty- 
live years old. She was. with her husband, an act- 
ive member of the Baptist Church. He is a stanch 
Republican in politics. To them sixteen children 
were born, as follows: John (dead), Anne, Rachel 
(dead), J. K., Phillip, Levi, Jasper, Sarah, Cather- 
ine, Rebecca, Mary, William, Howard, Proctor, 
Charity, and an infant who died. J. K. was in the 
same regiment as our subject, enlisting in 1863 and 
serving until after the close of the war. 

Our subject passed his early days on his father's 
farm, and even in his youth evinced strong patriot- 
ism and love of his country, by enlisting, at the age 
of eighteen, in 1864, from a Southern State, in de- 
fense of the stars and stripes, becoming a member 
of Company B, 1st Tennessee Light Artillery, and 
was mustered into the Army of the Tennessee at 
Cumberland Gap, under Capt. Beebee. His regiment 
was sent on a scouting expedition on horseback, 
and had n skirmish with Esteson. Our subject and 
his comrades were then sent to Strawberry Plains 
to do guard duty. From there they were dis- 
patched to Nashville, Tenn., where they remained 
until after the close of the war, being mustered out 
ami honorably discharged in July, 1865. During 
his term of service our subject showed rare soldierly 
qualities spite of his youth and inexperience. After 
Leaving the army Mr. (Join returned to his old 
Tennessee home, and managed the farm for awhile 



T 



482 



pawnee county. 



Hr 



until he was twenty years old, when he married and 
began farming for himself. He continued thus act- 
ively engaged in Tennessee until the spring of 
1869, when he decided to try farming in a new 
country, and selecting Nebraska as possessing in an 
eminent degree many desirable advantages of cli- 
mate, fertile soil, etc., he came by rail to Ash Point, 
Kan., and thence by team to Pawnee County. He 
immediately took up a 160-acre tract of wild prai- 
rie land under the provisions of the Homestead Act, 
and became almost the first settler on the prairie. 
He built a dug-out, in which to live until he could 
erect a log house, and then set about the task of 
preparing his land for cultivation, breaking the 
prairie with oxen mostly, hedged his land and set 
up groves. He engaged in farming and stock- 
raising there for some years, with varying success, 
his nearest markets being Beatrice, Neb., and Ma- 
rysville, Kan. He had to undergo many trials, 
among the worst of which was the grasshopper siege, 
as those insects destroyed his crops and nearly eat 
him out of house and home. In the spring of 1 878 
Mr. Goin sold his old homestead and bought a farm 
of ICO acres on the adjacent section 31, which was 
partly improved. With characteristic energy he 
has since made many other needed improvements 
and has greatly increased the value of his 
farm. He set out twelve acres of orchard, consist- 
ing of 800 trees of choice fruit. He has about 
forty acres of native forest trees, and the farm be- 
ing well watered by Plum Creek, is a very suitable 
place for stock-raising, indeed, is considered one of 
the best places in the precinct, and our subject 
takes great delight in that branch of agriculture 
and he feeds cattle. He has sixty head of graded 
stock, and a fine herd of hogs, and eight head of 
blooded Clyde and draft horses, having three teams 
to operate his farm. In 1882 he bought forty acres 
more land, adjoining his homestead on the same 
section, and he also has a lease of forty acres of 
school land in Gage County. He has his farm 
fenced with hedge and wire, and has many valuable 
improvements, good dwellings, barns, etc. 

Mr. Goin was married in Claiborne County, 
Tenn., to Miss Elendear Bollinger, Sept. 22, 1866. 
She was a native of that county, born at Tazewell, 
Feb. 7, 1847. She died in her husband's home in 

«« 



Nebraska, Dec. 14, 1887, leaving besides her be- 
reaved family many friends .to mourn the loss of a 
woman of kindly heart, considerate ways, and many 
other good qualities. The following is the record 
of the children born to her and her husband : James 
Sterling, born in Tennessee, Nov. 8, 1867; Esau, 
born in Nebraska, Dec. 13, 1869, died Nov. 27, 
1871 ; Florence M., born Aug. 24, 1871 ;Emmeline, 
born April 22, 1874; Matilda, born Feb. 7, 1876; 
Hugh, born Aug. 23, 1877; Irving, born Jan. 7, 
1879, died Feb. 27, 1879; Proctor, born June 5, 
1880; Andrew, born April 1, 1882; Lioneal, born 
May 27, 1884; Victor, born Feb. 17, 1886, died 
Jan. 1, 1887; Clyde, born Dec. 7, 1887. They are 
all at home. 

Mr. Goin has proved an invaluable citizen since 
his settlement here in pioneer days, and has always 
used his influence to preserve law and order. In 
his political views he is a straight Republican, sin- 
cerely believing the policy of that party to be the 
best in the guidance of National affairs. He is 
connected with Berry Post No. 159, G. A. R., 
at Liberty. He has interested himself in educa- 
tional affairs, and was instrumental in organizing 
this precinct into a district, and served on the 
School Board with great efficiency for three years. 
He is one of the leading members of the Baptist 
Church at Liberty, helped to build the church and 
is Treasurer of the society. Mr. Goin is much in- 
terested in the manufacture of sorghum, and raises 
seven or eight acres of cane every year, from which 
he makes about a thousand gallons, using Cook's 
Evaporator. 



-*~*-§«==3KEH->- 



fipP RANCIS E. WASHBURN. The best indi- 
!!=*=> cation of a man's character is his standing 




and reputation among his neighbors and 
fellow-citizens. We look for no further proof of 
his reliability than the fact that he is well spoken 
of by those whom he has lived beside for a term of 
years. These remarks are properly applied to the 
subject of this sketch, a man who has seen much of 
life, and who from an interesting and varied ex- 
perience, has learned well. He is the owner of a 
good farm property which forms one of the pleas- 



^T" 



4= 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



483 



•t* 



antest homes in Sheridan Precinct, of which he was 

one of the early settlers. The farm is pleasantly 
located ami occupies a portion of section 30, town- 
ship 2, range 12. 

Mr. Washburn set foot upon the soil of Ne- 
braska first in January, 1874. He came here as a 
printer by trade, at which he worked in Pawnee 
City until August, 1877. in the ollice of the Rej>uh- 
lican, with the exception of six weeks, when he 
was off on a vacation. Later he connected him- 
self with the Enterprise, remaining with it from its 
first establishment until January, 1880, then deter- 
mined to change his occupation, and sought the 
rural districts. He had purchased land, Oct. 29, 
1874, and two years later put up a dwelling in 
Gothic style of architecture, which he has occupied 
since September, 1875. In the spring of 1880 he 
put in his first crops. He makes a specialty of live 
stock, utilizing in this direction most of the grain 
which is raised upon his land. 

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Washburn was 
born at Eldred, McKean County, April 13, 1848. 
Two years later his parents moved across the line 
into Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where he spent 
his boyhood days and acquired a practical educa- 
tion in the common schools. His business career 
began as the employe of a lumbering company on 
the Allegheny River, but this not being congenial 
to his tastes he entered the ollice of the Olean 
Times, where he continued from the spring of 
1868 until the fall of the year following. Thence 
he went into the office of the Buffalo Post, where 
he spent the winter following, then returned home. 
In August, 1870, he started for the West, passing 
through Chicago to Aurora, 111., where he became 
an attache of the Herald office. After the great 
lire he returned to Chicago and became connected 
with the Times, in its temporary office on Adams 
street. 

From the Garden City Mr. Washburn now struck 
out for the farther West, and we next find him in 
Kansas in the office of the Atchison Patriot, where 
he worked eighteen months, and during the Greeley 
campaign. He next went into the Champion office, 
but after a short time, desirous of seeing more of 
the Western country, started out through the Solo- 
mon Valley in the fall of 1873, riding a pony. He 



sojourned for awhile at Blue Rapids, then re- 
turned to Atchison, and from there migrated to 
Pawnee City. Since that time he has been a resi- 
dent of this county. 

The wedded life of Mr. Washburn commenced 
Oct. 18, 1874, when he was united in marriage 
with Miss Florence A. Whaley, in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church ill Pawnee City. Soon after- 
ward they took up their abode at their present 
homestead. Mrs. Washburn was born March 31, 
1856, in Kalamazoo County, Mich., and came with 
her father, John Whaley, to this State in 1864. Of 
the latter a sketch will be found elsewhere in this 
volume. Of this union there were born four 
children, two of whom are deceased. These were 
twins; one died in early infancy, and the other at 
the age of fourteen months. The elder daughter 
living, Julia A., was born Aug. 11, 1878, and Eva 
L., March 20, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn are 
consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Pawnee City, and earnest workers in the 
Sunday-school. 

Reuben S. B. Washburn, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., Sept. 18, 
1815, where he lived until approaching manhood. 
There he was married to Miss Julia A. Stewart, and 
they became the parents of nine children, seven of 
whom lived to mature years. The eldest son died 
in Richmond, Ya., a prisoner of war, Dec. 2. 1863. 
The family about 1844 removed to Pennsylvania, 
but finally returned to New York State, settling in 
Cattaraugus Count}", where the father engaged in 
farming and lumbering combined. During the 
later years of his life he was atllicted with blind- 
ness, and died Nov. 23, 1865, at the age of fifty 
years. The devoted wife and mother kept her 
children together until they were grown, and is still 
living, making her home with her daughter in 
Cattaraugus County. She came to Nebraska after 
the marriage of our subject, and remained with 
him two years. 

Abiel Washburn, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was a New Englander by birth, and mar- 
ried Miss Janette Sherman. He finally migrated to 
Seneca County, N. Y., where he carried on farm- 
ing a number of years, and also taught school. 
He retired from active labor some time before his 




484 



l'AWNKK COUNTY. 



death, which took place in 18G0. Grandmother 
Washburn survived her husband until the year 
1871 or 1872. Mrs. Julia (Stewart) Washburn, the 
mother of our subject, was born at Milton, .Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., April 25, 1818, and is the 
daughter of James Stewart, who removed to Michi- 
gan, but finally returned to his native State and 
spent his last years in Medina, where he died about 
1872, having survived his partner two or three 
years. 

The Washburn family traces its ancestry to good 
old Puritan stock, the great-grandfather of our 
subject having been a half-brother of Israel Wash- 
burn, father of the late Elihu B. Washburn, of Illi- 
nois. Wherever making their homes they have 
been people of prominence, both in connection 
with social and business affairs. Our subject has 
held various offices in his precinct, officiating as 
Treasurer of his school district a period of six 
years, being a member of the Board of Elections, 
and representing the Republican part}' in the 
Count}' Conventions usually every } r ear. A man 
upright and honorable in his transactions, he is one 
of those whose word is considered as good as his 
bond. 




4 



ETER GOLD. The stranger to Western 
life is frequently surprised in taking his 
initial journey, to observe the advanced 
state of civilization apparent frequently 
even in remote rural districts, there being intro- 
duced into the homes of the agriculturist many 
appliances of modern invention, both for comfort 
and convenience, as well as for embellishment. Into 
such a home it is our pleasure to introduce the 
reader, also to present some of the more salient 
features in the life of its owner, the gentleman 
whose name appears at the head of this sketch. 

An early pioneer of Table Bock Precinct, Mr. 
Gold is now the owner of a fine farm of 120 acres, 
pleasantly located on section 27. He also has 
eighty acres on section 28. His first purchase was 
effected in June of 18G8 from its original home- 
steader, Rev. Mr. Arnold. It had been entered as 
early as 1856, but no improvements had been made 
upon it, not even a hedge row broken. Mr. Gold 



thus was obliged to begin at first principles in the 
construction of a farm. He realized that there was 
before him no small task, but he went to work with 
a will, and, as the result of 3 - ears of industry and 
perseverance, we find him the owner of a very fine 
estate. On his farm he set out forest and fruit 
trees, and has now a fine apple orchard, a vineyard 
of 100 grape vines, blackberries, strawberries, cher- 
ries and plums, which yield bountifully and provide 
the family with the luxuries of the season. During 
the first two winters of his sojourn here Mr. Gold 
lived in a shanty, ten feet square, in the timber, 
while he carried on the improvement of his land 
as rapidly as possible. His neighbors were few and 
far between, the nearest being Mr. Renter and Mr. 
Miller. There were no buildings for miles west of 
Nemaha, with the exception of a dug-out belonging 
to John Wood. 

Our subject put up a frame dwelling in 1871, and 
erected other structures as his time and means 
justified. He is now (January, 1889) preparing to 
build a flue large barn. His land has been brought 
to a good state of cultivation, and for the past few 
years he has been gradually branching out into 
stock-raising, having excellent grades of cattle, and 
has engaged considerably in dairying. His milch 
cows are especially fine, and the cream produced 
from these is of an unusually good quality, having 
been tested by experts, and pronounced equal to 
that of blooded stock. Mr. Gold is also largely in- 
terested in the breeding of Berkshire swine, together 
with fine horses. 

Our subject was on the ground at the organiza- 
tion of School District No. 34, and assisted in the 
erection of the school building. He has been a 
member of the School Board of District No. 52, of- 
ficiating as Treasurer for a number of years. Ho 
was the first Road Supervisor in his part of the 
precinct, and assisted iu opening up the public 
highway through his district, besides superintend- 
ing the building of the first bridges. It will thus 
be seen that he could have spent but few idle 
hours, and, although he has encountered many 
hardships and difficulties as a pioneer of Nebraska, 
he is now at the point where he can reap his re- 
ward. 

A man interested in educational and religious 




f 



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■•*- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



185 



matters, Mr. Gold assisted in the erection of the 
first Methodist Episcopal Church building of Table 
Rock, also the Presbyterian Church, and has in 
fact been found ever willing to give a cheerful 
support to the various projects having for their 
object the advancement of the people. His neigh- 
bors, who have had the best means of knowing of 
his daily life, uniformly speak of him in the highest 
terms, and a man can need no better recommenda- 
tion than this. 

The native State of our subject was Pennsyl- 
vania, and his childhood home in Northampton 
County, where he was born July 1, 1840. He re- 
ceived a good practical education, and lived there 
until a young man of twenty-two years. A few 
months after the outbreak of the Civil War he 
enlisted as a Union soldier, Sept. 15, 18G2, in Com- 
pany A, l.j.'id Pennsylvania Infantry. This vvas at 
the time of the nine-months call for 600,000 men. 
Young Gold met the enemy in many important 
battles, besides innumerable skirmishes, being in 
the light at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettys- 
burg, Antietam, and at the close of his term of en- 
listment received an honorable discharge. 

Upon retiring from the army after a year's serv- 
ice, Mr. Gold migrated to Stephenson County, 
III., where he spent two years engaged in farming. 
He then sold his forty acres of land, and, cross- 
ing the Mississippi, invested his capital in this 
County. lie was married to his present wife May 
16, 1883. She was formerly Mrs. Julia (Avery) 
Kinney, of New York City, who was visiting her 
brother in Table Rock Precinct, where she formed 
the acquaintance of our subject. Of a former mar- 
riage of Mr. Gold there is one child, a son, Henry. 

Mrs. Julia Gold was born Sept. 24, 18;3G, in 
Montgomery County, N. Y., and lived there until 
reaching womanhood. She was then married to 
Mr. Kinney, and came to the West in 1880. By 
her first husband she became the mother of one 
child, a son, George W.. who is living with Mr. 
Gold. 

Jacob Gold, the father of our subject, and, like 
his son, a native of Northampton County, Pa., was 
born the first week in August, 1800. He spent his 
entire life in his native county engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits. Upon reaching manhood he was 

•4* 



married to Miss Eva Bridinger, and this union re- 
sulted in the birth of four children. The father 
died at the homestead in Northampton County, in 
1878. The mother, who was born in 1802, sur- 
vived her husband nine yens, her death taking 
place April 7, 1887. The elder Gold accumulated 
a good property, being the owner of a large tract 
of land, which his children afterward occupied. 
Peter is the only one in Nebraska. 

— *<■» ■»! , ■ • 3 * ' 31 * 2 * j, 1 » * ° * — ■ 




OBERTINGLIS. Close upon the heels of 
other important enterprises was established 
that which the subject of this sketch is now 
successfully prosecuting, the manufacture 
of buggies and spring wagons. Mr. I. came to 
Pawnee City in the fall of 1876, and is numbered 
among its most energetic business men, industrious 
and reliable, and worthily tilling his niche in the 
busy hive of its various industries. A native of 
Illinois, he was born near Kewanee, in Henry 
County, Dec. 2. 1856, and is the eldest of six chil- 
dren, the offspring of Peter and Ellen I. (Ruther- 
ford) Inglis, who were both natives of Scotland. 

The parents of our subject emigrated to the 
United States early in life, and after their marriage 
settled in Henry County, 111., where the father 
was successfully engaged as a farmer and stock- 
trader, and where they lived until their removal to 
Nebraska, in 1874. Upon coming to this county 
they Settled on a tract of land about ten miles 
southwest of Pawnee City, where the parents still 
reside. Robert remained with them until twenty 
years of age. acquiring a practical education, and 
completing his studies in the academy at Kewanee. 
111. He accompanied them to this county, and 
lived with them upon the farm one year, then 
repairing to Pawnee City began an apprenticeship 
at blacksmithing, which trade he followed there- 
after for a period of about eight years. 

Mr. [nglis at an early period in his life displayed 
unusual mechanical genius, and at tin- expiration 
of the time mentioned he left the anvil, and began 
the manufacture of spring wagons and buggies, 
putting out from the first about fifty jobs per year. 
also doing a general repair business. This enter- 

»» 



r- 



-4^ 

, i 486 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 






prise was successful from the first, and he now gives 
employment during the busy season to from six to 
eight men. His work is all disposed of in the home 
market. He has invested much of his capital in 
real estate, putting up what is called the Pawnee 
City Opera House in connect inn with J. M. Spate-. 
and other structures. The opera house is an ob- 
ject of pride to the citizens of this place, occupying 
an area of 52x100 feet, being two stories in height, 
with a capacity of seating T.Vi persons. There are 
in connection with the stage fourteen sets of scenes 
and other appliances making it pleasant for the 
theater-goers. 

.Miss Margaret C. Burg, of Pawnee County, be- 
came the wife of our subject Dec. 8, 1875. She 
was born Dec. 8, 185(i, and is the daughter of 
Francis Burg, who is now deceased, having spent 
his last years in this connty. They have two chil- 
dren, a son and daughter, George F. and Nellie. 
Mr. Englis has served as a member of the City 
Council three years, and is at present the City 
Treasurer. He is rather conservative in politics. 
but usually votes the Republican ticket. Socially, 
he belongs to Lodge No. 0, I. 0. 0. F., and is a 
Knightof Pythias. In religious matters he is iden- 
tified with the First Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. Inglis is numbered among the self-made 
men of this county, who, knowing how their prop- 
erty has been accumulated, naturally know how to 
take care of it. He has sufficient to support him in 
his declining years, and is adding steadily to his 
bank account. 



-*2££'©i€-~ — fe 



X4— ^Sfc-SWWZr.- 



~t 



<j|) OHN DAVIS, dealer in lumber and coal, 
and having his headquarters in Pawnee 
City, represents a portion of the solidity and 
(®s|^ reliability of the business community, of 
which he became a member March 17, 1871. To 
this point have migrated men of nearly all nations, 
and Mr. Davis is a native of Wales, having been 
born in Aberdare, March 3, 1850. He emigrated 
to America with his parents when a lad nine years 
of age, and, although so young, remembers many 
of the scenes of his native shire, the incidents of 

«■ 



preparation for a long voyage across the Atlantic, 
and the landing in the New World. 

David W. and Mary (Davis) Davis, the parents 
of our subject, were of pure Welsh ancestry, and, 
after coming to the United States, located first on 
a tract of land in Sank County, Wis. They resided 
there until the outbreak of the Civil War, and the 
father then enlisted in Company A. 36th Wisconsin 
Infantry, and died at Salisbury, N. C, after a serv- 
ice of one year, in December, 18G4. In the -mean- 
time he had suffered the terrors of Libby and 
Andersonville Prisons. 

The mother with her six children remained 
on the farm in Wisconsin, and our subject staid 
with them until reaching his majority. Then 
desirous of seeing something of the more Western 
country, he migrated to this county, and taught 
school in order to get money to purchase land. He 
was thus occupied two years, and later became 
book-keeper in the store of J. R. Ervin, which 
position he occupied four years. He made good 
headway in the esteem and confidence of the peo- 
ple, and in 1877 was elected Clerk of Pawnee 
County, in which office lie served acceptably two 
years, and was re-elected for another term. Upon 
retiring from the Clerk's office he engaged in the 
lumber trade, handling pine of all kinds, and finally 
taking in a partner, W. T Jones, they operating 
together until the death of Mr. Jones, which oc- 
curred in December, 1887, since which time Mr. 
Davis has continued the business alone. 

Miss Emma Tracy, a native of Ohio, became the 
wife of our subject Aug. 23, 1876, the wedding 
taking place at the bride's home in Pawnee Count}-. 
Mrs. Davis went with her parents to Illinois very 
early in life, in which State she grew to womanhood, 
receiving her education in the common school. 
Of her union with our subject there have been 
born four children, two of whom are living, namely : 
D. Lyle and Waldo T. One interesting little girl, 
named Imo T., died at the age of eight years, and 
an infant unnamed. 

Politically, Mr. Davis voted, until 1887, uni- 
formly with the Republican party, but his strong 
sympathy with the temperance work led him later 
to ally himself with the Prohibitionists. He has 
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 



•+^*-*+ 



-If* 



*+^\\-** 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



is? 



for a period of twenty-one years, and has always 

taken an active part in the church and Sunday- 
school of this city. He took a course of study in 
the Worthington & Warner Commercial College, 
at Madison, Wis., working to pay his way through 
school. In his lumber transactions he has been 
more than ordinarily successful, doing a business 
of $1-2,000 annually. He occupies a handsome 
residence, which was put up at a cost of $6,000, 
and which, with its surroundings, forms one of the 
most complete homes in the city. 

^f] ( (SEPH IS. MORTON in years gone by stood 
among the stalwart, self-reliant, courageous, 
capable pioneers of Pawnee County, who, 
with strength of mind and muscle, and steadi- 
ness of purpose, overcame all obstacles that beset 
the path of the frontiersmen in settling up the wild 
country that they found here in the fifties, and to- 
day are deservedly enjoying the fruits of their ear!}' 
labors in comfortable homes. Mr. Morton was an 
early settler of Pawnee City, coming here in 1857, 
when there was not a house standing on the present 
site of the city. There had, however, been a sale 
of lots, and our subject after his arrival purchased 
the lot where living's store now stands on Main 
street. He there built a house, and fitting up the 
front part as a store, he opened the first mercantile 
establishment in the city of Pawnee. About the 
same time a man by the name of Lemon put up a 
house, the front part of which he used as a store, 
and entered into friendly competition with our sub- 
ject. Mr. Morton bought his first stock of goods 
in Iowa Point, Kan., and afterward traded in St. 
Joseph, Mo. The city not being very populous at 
that early date, business was not very flourishing, 
and our subject rented his store building for a 
hotel, the first kept in Pawnee. He then came to 
his present place of residence, and bought the land 
which he has developed into his present fine farm. 
Some of it had been broken and a house stood on 
it, and our subject energetically set about making 
further improvements. He now has his farm all 
fenced, 100 acres of its exceedingly fertile soil un- 
der fine tillage, and has about fifty acres of forest, 
■4* 



from which a tree has never been cut. He enlarged 
the house that stood on the farm when he bought it, 
and had quite a roomy and conveniently arranged 
dwelling, but, being on low ground, it was consid- 
erably damaged by the Hood of January, 1882, to- 
gether with 150 hogs, 3,000 bushels of corn, and 
everything else that was movable. Mr. Morton 
then built his present residence, a substantial frame 
house, with all the modern conveniences, on the 
hill, far from the devastating influences of any sud- 
den rise of waters. 

Mr. Morton helped to form this school district, 
which has always been called the Morton district in 
his honor. He was elected its first Director, and 
for twelve years held that office, and then resigned 
the position, declining all solicitations to retain it 
any further. In virtue of his office he was the chief 
member of the building committee, and supervised 
the building of the school-house, borrowing the 
money for that purpose, bonds having been voted 
and sold, and lie took charge of' the whole thing 
and transacted all the business very thoroughly and 
satisfactorily. Although Mr. Morton has taken a 
genuine interest in public affairs, he has been no 
politician, but has always supported the solid Demo- 
cratic ticket at the polls. In religion he is a re- 
spected member of the United Brethren Church. 
He has a keen, thoughtful mind, is well read, and 
in him his neighbors find a kind and considerate 
friend. During his long career as a farmer he 
showed himself possessed of sound, practical wis- 
dom and a good capacity for labor, and in all par- 
ticulars he has conducted himself with a strict hon- 
orableness and fairness. He now rents his farm, 
but still has a general oversight of it to see thac 
everything is kept up to the same high standard to 
which he brought it. 

Mr. Morton was born in Virginia, in Lee County, 
Aug. 21, 1816. His father. Jesse L. Morton, was 
born in North Carolina prior to the Revolution, 
and was eighteen years of age when that war was 
brought to a close. He took part in the War of 
1812, and was crippled by a cannon carriage. He 
spent most of his life in Lee County, Ya., en- 
gaged in farming. He and his wife were both born 
near Hillsboro, N. C, and they remembered the Brit- 
ish encampment at that place. They were not long 

•► 



• ► bT^T 



*HM« 



488 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



T 



divided in death, his decease occurring six weeks 
after hers. They were quiet, respected people, and 
reared their children, of whom they had five who 
lived to maturity, to exemplary, useful lives. 

Our subject lived in the Old Dominion until 
1851, and in the meantime acquired a practical 
education, which he utilized by teaching school. 
He there followed farming until the year mentioned, 
when he migrated to Missouri. He married in Vir- 
ginia Miss Nancy Wells, of Powell's Valley, Ya., 
and to them came six children, five of whom are 
si ill living, namely : Mrs. Elizabeth Cochran, whose 
home is one mile south of her father's; Jesse L. is 
single; Mary G., widow of J. F. C. McCaslin, who 
now resides with her father; Gabriel J., next north 
of our subject's house, and John O., one mile north, 
both having families and farms of their own. Jesse 
L., the eldest son of our subject, was in the late 
war, serving throughout, and receiving a wound 
from the effects of which he lost a limb. After 
marriage Mr. Morton moved to Andrew County, 
Mo., one mile south of Fillmore, and farmed there 
until Kansas was opened for settlement in 1854, 
when he went to Iowa Point, a little town in that 
State. There his wife was sick for a year, and died 
of consumption. In 1857 Mr. Morton came here 
with his children, and after living a widower for 
seven years, he married Mrs. McNeil, the widow of 
a very early settler of Pawnee County. To them 
came one child, Charles T., a farmer and thresher 
at Steinauer, Neb. Mr. Morton was a second time 
bereaved of a good wife and devoted helpmate, 
Mrs. M. dying May 1, 1880. Politically, Mr. Mor- 
ton is a Democrat. 






OlIN CONARD. Nebraska numbers among 
her citizens many who were in the Union 
Army during the late war, some of them 
taking up arms and fighting in their coun- 
try's defense before they had arrived at man's estate. 
As a fine representative of this soldier element in 
the development of this great State, we are pleased 
to present herewith a sketch of the life of the gen- 
tleman whose name stands at the head of this bio- 




graphical notice. He was one of the early pioneers 
of Pawnee County, coming here the year after the 
close of the Rebellion, and has ever since been iden- 
tified with its agricultural interests. He owns and 
manages one of the largest farms in Mission Creek 
Precinct, comprising 240 acres of land of unsur- 
passed fertility, on sections 31 and 32, and he has 
besides eighty acres of land in Marshall County, 
Kan. 

Our subject was born Jan. 11, 1845, near the 
town of Brookville, on the homestead that his father 
had cleared from the primeval forests of Franklin 
County 7 , Ind. His mother, whose maiden name was 
Christiana Cruse, was likewise a native of that 
county. His father, Peter Conard, was a German 
by birth and breeding. The paternal grandfather 
of our subject, Peter Conard, was a native and 
lifelong resident of Germany, dying there in 1860, 
at the venerable age of seventy-six years. He was 
the owner of a vineyard and manufactured wine 
for many years. Charles Cruse, the maternal 
grandfather of our subject, was born in Prussia, but 
later in life came to America and located in Indiana, 
and for several years thereafter was engaged in 
farming in Franklin County, of which he was a 
pioneer. He died in 1849. in the home that he had 
built up there by patient industry. 

The father of our subject was reared in his na- 
tive Germany to the life of a farmer, and remained 
an inmate of the parental home until his emigration 
to the United States in 1835, when he was twenty- 
one years of age. He located in Franklin County, 
Ind., and buying Government land, cleared a farm, 
and he and his family resided thereon until 1868. 
In that year he sold his property in that county, 
and moving to Dearborn County, in the same State, 
carried on farming there veiy prosperously until 
his death, at the age' of sixty-seven, in 1881. He 
was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, 
living up to his Christian creed in word and deed, 
and he was thoroughly respected by all who knew 
him. He had the misfortune to lose his devoted 
companion in early life, she dying in 1854, while 
yet in the prime of life, being only thirty years of 
age. To them had been born six children, as fol- 
lows: Henry and Sophia, who are dead; John; 
Fred, who died Jan. 4, 1889, in Kansas City; 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



:*4 r * 



-189 



4 



George W. and Charles, twins; the former in Mar- 
shall Count}', Kan., and the latter deceased. 

Mr. Conard grew to manhood on his father's 
farm, receiving the usual common-school advan- 
tages. He was but a boy when the great Civil War 
broke out, but he watched with intense interest its 
progress, and in December, 1863, when eighteen 
years of age, was permitted to enlist in defense of 
the stars and stripes, and he became a member of 
the 123d Indiana Infantry, Company D,lst Division, 
1st Brigade, 23d Corps, Army of the Ohio. He 
was mustered in at Greensburg, Ind., and then sent 
to Nashville, Tenn. lie was with his regiment at 
Charleston, at Resaca and Dallas, and in various 
engagements on the march to Atlanta. From that 
tit}- he and his comrades were sent back to Nash- 
ville, under command of Gen. Thomas, and took 
an active part in the battle of Franklin and the one 
at Nashville. Our subject then went to North 
Carolina, and was present during the engagement 
at Wise Forks, and later he witnessed Lee's surren- 
der at Richmond. He accompanied his regiment to 
Charlotte, N. C, to do guard duty, and was there 
mustered out of the army, and received his dis- 
charge papers at Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 7, 1865. 
Although a young man he had shown the coolness, 
courage and endurance of a veteran, and was in all 
respects a thorough soldier, doing his duty well 
whether in camp or on the field under the enemy's 
fire. After his military experience Mr. Conard re- 
turned to the old home in Indiana, and remained 
there over winter and the following summer. In 
the fall of I860 he decided to avail himself of the 
cheap lands of the Territory of Nebraska, and 
starting on the somewhat lengthy journey with a 
team, crossed the Mississippi at <iuiney, 111., and the 
Missouri at St. Joseph, Mo., and proceeded to his 
destination in Pawnee County. lie took up a tract 
of 160 acres of Government land as a homestead, 
located on sections 31 and 32, included in his pres- 
ent farm, lie was one of the earliest settlers of 
Mission Creek Precinct, and is now one of the old- 
est living here in point of settlement. His land had 
no improvements on it, and with characteristic vigor 
he set about the pioneer task of developing it into 
a farm, which to-day may lie considered a model. 
He broke the soil in which to plant his first crop, 
<• 



and erected a log house, which he has since replaced 
by a more commodious and conveniently arranged 
dwelling, and has erected a fine set of farm build- 
ings, a windmill (Murdock) for watering purposes 
with two tanks, and the Grover mill to grind his 
grain for feeding. 

Mr. Conard has since purchased more land from 
time to time, a 160-acre tract and an 80-acre 
tract adjoining, besides the eight}' acres previously 
mentioned in Kansas. He has fenced his farm with 
wire, has plenty of hay and pasture land, and his 
farm is amply provided with all the most approved 
machinery for lightening labor. Mr. Conard has 
ten acres of timber land, eight acres of groves and 
a fine orchard of twelve acres. He engages exten- 
sively in general farming, paying considerable at- 
tention to stock-raising, and has sixteen horses of 
fine breed. 

Mr. Conard was married in Greensburg, Decatur 
Co., Ind., Jan. 7, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Winter. 
She was born Aug. 12, 1842, in St. Omer, Decatur 
Co., Ind., a daughter of Gideon and Priscilla 
(Niceley) Winter. Her father was born in Ohio, 
Sept. 15, 1815, and her mother was born in Ten- 
nessee, Oct. 10, 1819. Her paternal grandfather, 
John Niceley, a native of Tennessee, was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War. He was a farmer by 
occupation, and moving to Ripley, Ohio, was a pio- 
neer there, carrying on agriculture until his death. 
Her father was a blacksmith, and moving to Ripley, 
carried on his trade there some years. He then 
went to Decatur County, Ind., of which he was an 
early settler, and thence moved to Kansas in 1869. 
He took up a claim in Marshall County, near the 
town of Beattie, and there died in January, 1878. 
The mother of Mrs. Conard is still living and is 
sixty-nine years old. Of her marriage ten children 
were born, eight of whom are living, as follows: 
Jane, Elizabeth, William, Joseph, Francis, Mary, 
Jessie, Addie. William took part in the late war 
at the same time as our subject, and was a member 
of the same company. Mrs. Conard is an amia- 
ble, refined lady, with a natural taste for the beauti- 
ful, as is shown in the adornment of her attractive, 
cozy home. Five children have blessed her mar- 
riage with our subject, namely : Joseph B., Clara 
B., Jessie /... Myrtle, John R., the latter being dead. 



r 



i i 490 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 






Though he has scarcely attained the meridian of 
life our subject has already accumulated a comforta- 
ble property, and stands among the solid men of 
Pawnee County, and this is due not alone to the 
fact that he labors persistently and pays strict at- 
tention to his business, but also because he is a man 
of more than average capacity and discernment. 
His fellow-citizens have found him wise and help- 
ful in their councils concerning public affairs, and 
lie is now serving the township ably as Supervisor. 
He held the office of Assessor one year. In him 
the Republican party of this section of the country 
finds one of its strongest adherents. He is an es- 
teemed member of the G. A. R. at Liberty. He 
has served on both the Grand and the Petit Jury. 



^^Qfr*^*. 



1 r 



r^ ICHARD L. VEDDER. If there is any 
.Atfrf condition in life affording satisfaction it 
/iiW, would seem to be that of the retired far- 
^f|mer, who, looking back upon a long and 
useful career, feels that his time has been well 
spent, and that, in opening up a portion of her 
territory for settlement, he has contributed in no 
small degree to the progress and prosperity of his 
county. Mr. Vedder is one of the most worthy 
representatives of his class, a man whose strict 
honesty and reliability of character have caused his 
name to be held in high respect by all who have 
come within the sphere of his acquaintance. 

The native place of our subject was in Onondaga 
County, N. Y., where he first opeued his eyes to 
the light Sept. 4, 1836. His father, Albert A. 
Vedder, was born near the city of Troy, same State 
in 1807, where during his j'ounger days he carried 
on farming and carpentering combined. The 
paternal grandfather, Aaron Vedder, was of Hol- 
land-Dutch ancestry, and married a lady of French 
descent. The latter lived to the advanced age of 
ninety-seven years, spending her last days in New 
York State with her daughter. Grandfather Ved- 
der also died in New York. 

Mrs. Susan D. (Lusk) Vedder, also a native of 
the Empire State, was born in 181G, and was the 
daughter of Richard Lusk, whose offspring num- 
bered eight children. Richard L. Vedder, our 



subject, was the second child of his parents, and 
was reared after the manner of most farmers' sons, 
going a barefooted boy to the district school, and 
assisting his parents in the various employments of 
the farm. This he left, however, when a youth of 
nineteen years, starting out for himself and work- 
ing by the month. He left his native State in 
1857, and migrated to the vicinity of Clinton, 
Iowa, where he stopped two years, and became in- 
terested in the grain business at that point and 
Lyons. In 18;39 he returned home, but a few 
months later started again for the West, bringing 
up at Wyandotte, Kan. Recrossing the Mississippi 
once more, we find him in Greene County, III., 
about 1860, where he suddenly leaped into promi- 
nence as Deputy Clerk in the Recorder's office. 
Upon leaving this he occupied himself as a drug- 
gist, but this enterprise not being an entire success, 
he entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton 
Railroad Company, holding the position of Station 
Agent for about four years. 

In the month of June, 1868, Mr. Vedder made 
his advent into Pawnee City, and he was so favora- 
bly impressed with the place that he began at once 
making arrangements for a permanent residence. 
His first business venture was in the hardware trade, 
which he prosecuted three years. He then drifted 
back to farming, on land lying four miles east of 
Pawnee City, which he had purchased, and which 
he occupied four years. Here he had 240 acres, 
which he brought to a good state of cultivation, 
and of which he still retains ownership, it being 
operated b}' a renter. He retired from the active 
duties of farm life on accountof rheumatism, about 
1880, wisely relegating those labors to younger 
hands. 

The 23d of September, 1863, was a memorable 
day in the life of our subject, when he was united 
in marriage with Miss Anna Bowman, of Carroll- 
ton, 111. Mrs. Vedder is a native of that town, 
and the daughter of Martin and Harriet (Christy) 
Bowman, who were natives of Ohio. The father 
is still living, and a resident of that town. This 
union resulted in the birth of three children, two 
daughters and a son, the latter of whom, Martin 
A., is now occupied in the Armour establishments, 
in the city of Omaha. Lucy A. and Harriet Care at 



•►-jr^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



491 , v 



home with their parents. Mr. Vedder was at one time 
a Deputy Clerk in Carrollton, 111., and in political 
matters he uniformly gives his influence in support 
of Democratic doctrines. Mrs. Vedder and daugh- 
ters are members of the Presbyterian Church. 



-~<£&G/©*3'»^<g^>*@^JOT> 



» v«. *w\»* 



ffiOHN R. HUNZEKER is a farmer of Sheridan 
Precinct, and one of the Hunzeker brothers. 
who came to Nebraska in the early part of 
(CSs)/' its settlement and have been identified with 
many of the improvements of Pawnee County, 
their history being so mingled with its growth and 
prosperity that no sketch of the county would be 
complete without notice of the incidents connected 
with their pioneer life here. 

Our subject was born in Switzerland, Sept. 7, 
185 1, and when a child «as brought to the United 
States with his parents in 1855. They wended their 
way westward, and after stopping at one or two in- 
termediate points, came to Pawnee County, where 
they settled in 1857. The country had very few 
inhabitants and but little had been done to redeem 
the land from its original wildness. There were no 
roads and but one trail to the west, and our sub- 
ject lent his assistance in locating and building 
highways and bridges. The nearest market for his 
farm produce was St. Joseph, and he exchanged the 
most of what he raised in that city for domestic 
goods, although occasionally our subject would 
form one of a small part)- to take a load of prod- 
uce, usually bacon, to Denver, where it brought 
a much higher price, the time of making the round 
trip having been three months or more. Mr. Hun- 
zeker purchased an 80-acre trad of prairie land 
in 18(>8, on which he set tied and began its cultiva- 
tion, to which he has since added. With unceas- 
ing toil and courageous perseverance, coupled with 
admirable judgment and strict attention to the 
minor details of his vocation, lie has evolved a 
beautiful and well-cultivated farm. It consists of 
215 acres of fertile land, lying on sections 23, 21, 
25 and 36, of Sheridan Precinct, on which be lias 
>,■! out good groves of forest trees, an orchard, 
plenty of small fruit and a vineyard. The latter 
he has made a [laying invest nient. using the grapes 
-*•— 



for the manufacture of wine, of which he has some 
years made as much as 300 gallons. Like many 
other farmers of this vicinity, Mr. Hunzeker pays 
especial attention to the raising of stock, and has 
some splendid, full-blooded Ilerefords, he having 
been the first to introduce that breed of cattle into 
this localit}'. In 1885 our subject erected on his 
homestead a large stone house, of modern archi- 
tecture and pleasing design, which is pleasantly bl- 
eated on section 25. and there with his family he 
lives in comfort and happiness, enjoying the re- 
wards of his early labor. 

Mr. Hunzeker has been twice married. The maiden 
name of his first wife was Mary Ilanna. She was 
a native of Bohemia, and when a girl came to this 
country with her parents. Her father, Joseph 
Hanna, is now living in this State, engaged in fann- 
ing. Mrs. Hunzeker lived but five years after 
marriage, dying Oct. 3, 1878, and leaving her hus- 
band with one child. Christina. In 1870 our sub- 
ject took as his second wife Miss Josephine Ilanna, 
a sister of his first wife, and of the children born 
of this union five are now living, namely: Rosa, 
Frankie, Edward. Wilhelm and Ida E. Mr. Hun- 
zeker is a well-informed, liberal, public-spirited 
man. interested in local matters, and has served 

intelligently in the various township and scl I 

offices. In politics he is a Democrat, although in 
county elections he votes irrespective of party for 
the best man. 



tft MLLIAM I. ANDERSON. The name of 
\rj// this gentleman is reverently placed in the 
VW list of the early pioneers of this county, 
who, after the labors of long and useful lives, have 
gone to their final home. He was born in Monroe 
County, Ind., May 22, 1822, and departed this life 
at his home in Pawnee Precinct, near the limits of 
Pawnee City, on the 19th of April, 1888. He was 
a man of more than ordinary abilities, a thorough 
and skillful farmer, correct in his business trans- 
actions, and as a citizen was held in high esteem. 
He formed one of the important factors in the de- 
velopment of Pawnee County, and at his death left 
a vacancy which it will be difficult to fill. 

The Anderson family was familiarly known in 




492 



*Hh* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



the South at an early date, ami Robert A., the father 
of our subject, was a native of Virginia. He came 
to Nebraska about 1857, and died in Pawnee City 
in the fall of 18G5. From the Old Dominion he 
had migrated first to Kentucky, and then to Illi- 
nois, coming thence to Nebraska. He married Miss 
Jane Woods, a sister of Joseph Woods, who built 
the Exchange Hotel in Pawnee City many years 
ago, and was one of the prominent citizens of this 
county. They reared a numerous family, of whom 
William I., our subject, was the second born. 

Young Anderson remained with his parents in 
his native State until reaching manhood, engaged 
mostly in agricultural pursuits. He took for his 
wife Miss Elizabeth A. Cochran, who was a native 
of Mercer County, Ky., and moved with 1km- parents 
to Indiana when quite young. The young people 
first settled in Jefferson County, Iud., then removed 
to Kentucky, where they lived five3 - ears. Then re- 
turning to Indiana, thej' settled in Johnson County, 
but in 1856 crossed the Mississippi into Wapello 
County, Iowa, and the j'ear following came to Ne- 
braska. 

The father of our subject pre-empted 160 acres 
of land on section 7, Pawnee Precinct, this county, 
upon which he operated four years, then sold out 
and removed to a point adjacent to the city limits, 
where he sojourned with his family four years. 
Later he homesteaded the farm now occupied by 
his children. This comprises 100 acres on section 
9, which he proved up and upon which he effected 
good improvements. Later he added to his landed 
estate until he had a valuable farm of 240 acres. 
He put up a good residence and other buildings, 
planted an orchard, and gathered around him all 
the conveniences of modern life. Later he turned 
his attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of 
cattle and swine, shipping quite largely each year. 
He departed this life at a ripe old age, on the 19th 
of April, 1888, having survived his estimable wife 
a period of twenty-two years, her death taking place 
Dec. 1, 1866. She was born in February, 1822, 
and was consequently nearly forty -five years of 
age at the time of her decease. 

To William I. and Elizabeth Anderson there were 
born eight children, namely : Robert F., Ella J., 
Milton O., Elzola A.; David L., who died Jan. 26, 



1887; William H., Mary A. and Joseph L. The 
subject of this sketch upon coming to Nebraska 
identified himself with the most important interests 
of his adopted county, representing Pawnee Pre- 
cinct three terms in the County Board of Super- 
visors, and held this office at the time of his death. 
He was rather conservative in politics, but usually 
voted the Republican ticket. In religious matters 
he was a devout member of the Christian Church, 
a man careful and conscientious in the performance 
of every duty, and one held in universal esteem by 
all who knew him. His son William H. is the 
manager of the farm, assisted by his brother Joseph 
L. Milton O. is acting in the capacity of Marshal 
of Pawnee City. The homestead is being conducted 
upon the same methodical plan which has brought 
it to its present prosperous condition, and made it 
one of the most valuable estates in the county. 
The family is widel} 1 and favorably known, and rep- 
resents the respectable and reliable element of this 
section. 

-fcSiS* 

I ARCUS A. RICE. This gentleman, al- 
though yet in his prime, has been so suc- 
cessful in his operations as a druggist that 
he was recently enabled to retire from 
active business, and occupies a quiet and pleasant 
home in Pawnee City, surrounded by all the com- 
forts of life. His native place was Fulton County, 
111., where he was born May 9, 1840, ami his par- 
ents were Dr. E. D. and Thalia (Owens) Rice, the 
father bornjiear the city of Boston. Mass., and the 
mother in New York. 

The father of our subject left New England in 
early life, and entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession at Lewistown, 111., which he pursued there a 
period of nearly fifty years, having located there in 
1828. His decease took place in Lewistown. in 
January, 1879. The mother departed this life in 
Lewistown, 111., Jan. 31, 1879. The parental house- 
hold included six children, of whom our subject 
was the fifth, He spent his boyhood and youth in 
his native town, acquiring a good practical educa- 
tion in the common school. His first business 
experience was as a clerk in the drug-store of his 
father, where he became thoroughly acquainted 




T 



•*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



I!).'. 



with all the detail of this business. He was mar- 
ried in that place to Miss Jennie Piersol, who died 
eight years later, leaving one son, John D., who 
came to Nebraska, and died in Pawnee City, in 
1876. 

Mr. Rice left Illinois in December, 1872, and 
coming to Pawnee City purchased a stock of drugs 
of his brother, August Rice, and continued the 
business at the same stand successfully until 1879, 
at which time he sold out, and retired from active 
business, with the exception of some dealings in 
real estate, and the loaning of money. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage in 
October, 1873, with Miss Florence W. Humphrey, 
of Jefferson City. Iowa. This lady was born in 
April, 1856, and is the daughter of J. II. and Har- 
riet (Lee) Humphrey, who were natives of Con- 
necticut, and are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rice 
are the parents of one child, a sou. Marcus A., Jr., 
who was born July 13, 1887. He purchased his 
present residence in 1888. It stands in the south- 
eastern part of the city, and with its surroundings 
forms one of the most attractive homes. 

A strong supporter of Republican principles, Mr. 
Rice, although no office-seeker, has been quite 
prominent in local affairs, serving as County Treas- 
urer ami Mayor of Pawnee City one term. His 
elder brother. August, formerly of Pawnee City, is 
now a resident of Hastings, this State. Charles is 
a practicing physician of St. Joseph, Mo. His 
sister Catherine E. is the wife of Joseph Lamaster, 
of Lincoln. Another sister, Juliet, is the wife of 
A. B. Johnson, residing at Lewistown, III. Sarah W. 
married Dr. J. B. McDowell, and died at Mason 
City, 111., about 1 879. The paternal grandfather, 
Asaph Rice, was of English ancestry, and spent his 
last years in Illinois, dying at the advanced age of 
ninety-six. 

-*" -4HH* v ~- 



ENRY C. F. MEYER. Asa well-read and 
skillful practitioner, the physician with 
whose name this sketch is introduced oc- 
cupies do unimportant position in a com- 
munity of intelligent pec. pie. His practice equals 
that of any member of the profession in this county, 




and although his time is amply employed in con- 
nection with the duties of his profession, he still 
finds time to keep pace with all the practical de- 
tails and improvements constantly pressing them- 
selves upon the attention of the fraternity. He is 
a man in the prime of life, having been born Nov. 
6, 1831, in the city and Kingdom of Hanover. 

In accordance with the laws and customs of the 
German Empire, young Meyer was placed in school 
when a lad of six years, and pursued his studies 
quite steadily until a youth of fourteen. After- 
ward he spent a term in the military school at 
Hanover, and then served in the German Army 
five years. At the expiration of this time he de- 
termined to seek his fortunes in the New World, 
and making his way to Bremen, embarked on a 
sailing-vessel for America, which landed him in 
New York City six weeks later. From there he 
proceeded to Chicago, III., where he sojourned two 
years engaged in farming near that city. The out- 
break of the Civil War now furnished employment 
to thousands of young and vigorous men, and soon 
after the first call for troops our subject enlisted in 
Company B, 1st Illinois Cavalry, being assigned to 
the Army of the Potomac, and sent to Western 
Virginia under command of Gen. Rosecrans. Not 
long afterward he met the enemy in battle at Cheap 
Mountain and Fredericksburg, also at Cross Lane, 
and other minor engagements. At one time the 
soldiers obtained very little rest either night or da}-. 
Mr. Meyer fortunately escaped wounds and capt- 
ure, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment 
was honorably discharged in June, 1863. Return- 
ing to Chicago, III., our subject joined his parents, 
who in the meantime had emigrated to America, 
and lived with them on a farm in Cook Count}' 
until turning his steps toward the farther West. In 
the year 18G5, coming to this county, he home- 
steaded 160 acres of land in Cincinnati Precinct, 
which he improved, and from which he constructed 
a good farm, lie operated there successfully until 
1883, then retiring from the active labors of rural 
life, took up his abode in Pawnee City, where he 
has since lived. It had been his intention since a 
young man, to take up the study of medicine at 
some convenient time, which time, however, did 
not arrive until after coming to Nebraska. Hei ' 



•frHH^ 



-*~ 



I 



-«•- 



-•*• 



492 



PAAVNEE COUNTY. 



*f 



the South at an early date, and Robert A., the father 
of our subject, was a native of Virginia. He came 
to Nebraska about 1857, and died in Pawnee City 
in the fall of 18G5. From the Old Dominion he 
had migrated first to Kentucky, and then to Illi- 
nois, coming thence to Nebraska. He married Miss 
Jane Woods, a sister of Joseph Woods, who built 
the Exchange Hotel in Pawnee City many years 
ago, and was one of the prominent citizens of this 
county. They reared a numerous family, of whom 
William I., our subject, was the second born. 

Young Anderson remained with his parents in 
his native State until reaching manhood, engaged 
mostly in agricultural pursuits. He took for his 
wife Miss Elizabeth A. Cochran, who was a native 
of Mercer County, Ky., and moved with her parents 
to Indiana when quite young. The young people 
fust settled in Jefferson County, Iud., then removed 
to Kentucky, where they lived five years. Then re- 
turning to Indiana, they settled in Johnson County, 
but in 1856 crossed the Mississippi into Wapello 
County, Iowa, and the year following came to Ne- 
braska. 

The father of our subject pre-empted 1 GO acres 
of land on section 7, Pawnee Precinct, this count}', 
upon which he operated four years, then sold out 
and removed to a point adjacent to the city limits, 
where he sojourned with his family four years. 
Later he homesteaded the farm now occupied by 
his children. This comprises 100 acres on section 
9, which he proved up and upon which he effected 
good improvements. Later he added to his landed 
estate until he had a valuable farm of 240 acres. 
He put up a good residence and other buildings, 
planted an orchard, and gathered around him all 
the conveniences of modern life. Later he turned 
his attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of 
cattle and swine, shipping quite largely each year. 
He departed this life at a ripe old age, on the 19th 
of April, 1888, having survived his estimable wife 
a period of twenty-two years, her death taking place 
Dec. 1, I860. She was born in February, 1822, 
and was consequently nearly forty-five years of 
age at the time of her decease. 

To William I. and Elizabeth Anderson there were 
born eight children, namely: Robert F., Ella J., 
Milton O., Elzola A.; David L., who died Jan. 2G, 



1887; William II., Mary A. and Joseph L. The 
subject of this sketch upon coming to Nebraska 
identified himself with the most important interests 
of his adopted county, representing Pawnee Pre- 
cinct three terms in the County Board of Super- 
visors, and held this office at the time of his death. 
He was rather conservative in politics, but usually 
voted the Republican ticket. In religious matters 
he was a devout member of the Christian Church, 
a man careful and conscientious in the performance 
of every duty, and one held in universal esteem by 
all who knew him. His son William H. is the 
manager of the farm, assisted by his brother Joseph 
L. Milton O. is acting in the capacity of Marshal 
of Pawnee City. The homestead is being conducted 
upon the same methodical plan which has brought 
it to its present prosperous condition, and made it 
one of the most valuable estates in the count}'. 
The family is widely and favorably known, and rep- 
resents the respectable and reliable element of this 
section. 




A ARCUS A. RICE. This gentleman, al- 
though yet in his prime, has been so suc- 
cessful in his operations as a druggist that 
he was recently enabled to retire from 
active business, and occupies a quiet and pleasant 
home in Pawnee City, surrounded by all the com- 
forts of life. His native place was Fulton County, 
111., where he was born May 9, 1840, and his par- 
ents were Dr. E. D. and Thalia (Owens) Rice, the 
father bornjiear the city of Boston, Mass., and the 
mother in New York. 

The father of our subject left New England in 
early life, and entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession at Lewistown, 111., which he pursued there a 
period of nearly fifty years, having located there in 
1828. His decease took place in Lewistown. in 
January, 1879. The mother departed this life in 
Lewistown, 111., Jan. 31, 1879. The parental house- 
hold included six children, of whom our subject 
was the fifth, He spent his boyhood and youth in 
his native town, acquiring a good practical educa- 
tion in the common school. His first business 
experience was as a clerk in the drug-store of his 
father, where he became thoroughly acquainted 






-*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



495j 



with all the details of this business. He was mar- 
ried in that place to Miss Jennie l'iersol, who died 
eight years later, leaving one son, John D., who 
came to Nebraska, and died in Pawnee City, in 
1876. 

Mr. Rice left Illinois in December, 1872, and 
coming to Pawnee City purchased a stock of drugs 
of his brother, August Rice, and continued the 
business at the same stand successfully until 1879, 
at which time he sold out, and retired from active 
business, with the exception of some dealings in 
real estate, and the loaning of money. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage in 
October, 1873, with Miss Florence W. Humphrey, 
of Jefferson City, Iowa. This lady was born in 
April, 1856, and is the daughter of J. II. and Har- 
riet (Lee) Humphrey, who were natives of Con- 
necticut, and are now deceased. M''- and Mrs. Rice 
are the parents of one child, a son, Marcus A., Jr., 
who was born July 13, 18S7. He purchased his 
present residence in 1888. It stands in the south- 
eastern part of the eit_y, and with its surroundings 
forms one of the most attractive homes. 

A strong supporter of Republican principles, Mr. 
Rice, although no office-seeker, has been quite 
prominent in local affairs, serving as Count}' Treas- 
urer and Mayor of Pawnee City one term. His 
elder brother. August, formerly of Pawnee City, is 
now a resident of Hastings, this State. Charles is 
a practicing physician of St. Joseph, Mo. His 
sister Catherine E. is the wife of Joseph Lamaster, 
of Lincoln. Another sister, Juliet, is the wife of 
A. B. Johnson, residing at Lewistown, III. Sarah W. 
married Dr. J. B. McDowell, and died at Mason 
City, 111., about 1879. The paternal grandfather, 
Asaph Rice, was of English ancestry, and spent his 
last years in Illinois, dying at the advanced age of 
ninety-six. 

-*> -4HN* ^~ 



ir 



ENRY C. F. MEYER. As a well-read and 
jfl) skillful practitioner, the physician with 
ISM? whose name this sketch is introduced oc- 
i^, cupies no unimportant position in a com- 
munity of intelligent people. His practice equals 
that of any member of the profession in this county, 



and although his time is amply employed in con- 
nection with the duties of his profession, he still 
finds time to keep pace with all the practical de- 
tails and improvements constantly pressing them- 
selves upon the attention of the fraternity. He is 
a man in the prime of life, having been born Nov. 
6, 1834, in the city and Kingdom of Hanover. 

In accordance with the laws and customs of the 
German Empire, young Meyer was placed in school 
when a lad of six years, and pursued his studies 
quite steadily until a youth of fourteen. After- 
ward he spent a term in the military school at 
Hanover, and then served in the German Army 
five years. At the expiration of this time he de- 
termined to seek his fortunes in the New World, 
and making his way to Bremen, embarked on a 
sailing-vessel for America, which landed him in 
New York City six weeks later. From there he 
proceeded to Chicago, 111., where he sojourned two 
years engaged in fanning near that city. The out- 
break of the Civil War now furnished employment 
to thousands of young and vigorous men, and soon 
after the first call for troops our subject enlisted in 
Company B, 1st Illinois Cavalry, being assigned to 
the Army of the Potomac, and sent to Western 
Virginia under command of Gen. Rosecrans. Not 
long afterward he met the enemy in battle at Cheap 
Mountain and Fredericksburg, also at Cross Lane, 
and other minor engagements. At one time the 
soldiers obtained very little rest either night or day. 
Mr. Meyer fortunately escaped wounds and capt- 
ure, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment 
was honorably discharged in June, 1863. Return- 
ing to Chicago, 111., our subject joined his parents, 
who in the meantime had emigrated to America, 
and lived with them on a farm in Cook County 
until turning his steps toward the farther West. In 
the year 18G5, coming to this county, he home- 
steaded 100 acres of land in Cincinnati Precinct, 
which he improved, and from which he constructed 
a good farm, lie operated there successfully until 
1883, then retiring from the active labors of rural 
life, took up his abode in Pawnee City, where he 
has since lived. It had been his intention since a 
young man, to take up the study of medicine at 
some convenient time, which time, however, did 
not arrive until after coming to Nebraska. He 

■► 



- jr^ 



496 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 






*t 



entered upon his first course of lectures in Kansas 
City, ami later began making experiments which 
have resulted in one of the most valuable com- 
pounds known to the medical world, and by the aid 
of which lie has effected some wonderful cures. 
For proof of this we need only to interview some 
of the most reliable citizens of this county. 

After returning from the army, Dr. Meyer was 
married, in Chicago, 111., to Miss Minnie Ronnspisz, 
of that city, and also a native of Germany. They 
have a family of six children, two sons and four 
daughters, namely : William H., Henry, Lena, Dora, 
Amelia and Lizzie. Dr. Meyer has wisely invested 
a portion of his surplus capital in real estate, his 
main farm containing now 240 acres, eighty acres 
of which are in Kansas. His city residence is a neat 
and substantial structure, conveniently located, and 
with attractive surroundings. He is numbered 
among Pawnee City's most reliable men, and as a 
practitioner is in the enjoyment of a good income. 

On an adjoining page is shown a portrait of this 
able physician and well-known citizen of Pawnee 
County. 



,EV. ALFRED L. HARRINGTON. The 

subject of this biographical outline, a re- 
tired minister of the Presbyterian Church. 
)' and a resident of Pawnee City, was born 
near Smith ville. Jefferson Co., N. Y.. Nov. 27. 
1824. He was the youngest of eleven children. 
six sons and five daughters, comprising the family 
of Brooks and Betsey (Hazen) Harrington, only six 
of whom survive, three sons and three daughters. 
The parents of our subject were both natives of 
Connecticut, and the father gave patriotic service 
to his country in the War of 1812. meeting the 
enemy at the battle of Sackett's Harbor and dis- 
tinguishing himself as a brave and faithful soldier. 
After marriage the parents settled in Jefferson 
County, N. Y., where the father conducted a hotel 
and also carried on farming. He died in middle 
life, when his son Alfred L. was quite young. The 
mother a few years later, leaving New York State. 
removed with her family to Adams County. 111., in 
the fall of 1881, and purchased a tract of land. 




paying therefor $1.25 per acre. Under the super- 
vision of the mother, the sons carried on the im- 
provement of the farm, building up a comfortable 
homestead. The mother spent her last days with 
her children, passing away in 1868. 

Our subject was a lad of seven years when bis 
mother removed to Illinois, and had nearly at- 
tained to man's estate before the establishment of 
any school in Adams County. He remembers dis- 
tinctly the building in which his first studies were 
conducted and the primitive methods of instruc- 
tion. Religious meetings were held first at the 
homes of the settlers, and later in the school-houses. 
The Harrington family traveled forty miles to mill 
before bridges had been built over tin- streams, and 
when the houses of the emigrant were few and far 
between. 

Upon reaching his majority Mr. Harrington re- 
solved that he would obtain an education, and with 
this aim in view labored with all the industry and 
economy of which he was master. In the fall of 
1844. to his great satisfaction, he entered the Illi- 
nois College a1 Jacksonville, where he took a four 
years' course, and from which he was graduated in 
1848. He subsequently taught three years in the 
college, and then prepared himself for his contem- 
plated ministerial labors by taking a course in the 
Union Theological Seminary in New York City, 
from which he was graduated in 1855. 

Mr. Harrington received his license to preach, 
and was ordained in .Inly of the above-mentioned 
year, and was placed in charge of the Congrega- 
tional Church at Peru, in LaSalle County. III. lie 
continued in this until 1859, and then found that 
he must change his occupation, his health having 
become greatly impaired. For twenty years there- 
after lie followed farming in LaSalle County. 
Thence he finally removed to Adams County, en- 
gaging there also in agricultural pursuits. In 1883, 
resolving to seek the farther West, he removed with 
hi~ family to Pawnee County, arriving here in the 
spring of that year, and where he has since resided. 

The wedded life of Mr. Harrington and Miss 
Julia A. Collins commenced on the 5th of August. 
1850. at the home of the bride in Adams County. 
111. This lady was born Dec. 8, 1830, and is the 
daughter of Frederick and Mary (Allen) Collins, 

■ » 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



497 A 



i 



4 



who were natives respectively of Connecticut and 
New York. Frederick Collins was a very promi- 
nent man during the early history of Illinois at the 
time of the agitation of the slavery question, and 
distinguished himself asan ardent Abolitionist, lie 
took part in the many discussions arising' at that 
time, being a fluent and effective speaker, and was 
a nominee for Lieutenant Governor on the Free Soil 
and anti-Slavery ticket, lie spent his last years in 
Illinois, passing away in 1878. His wife Mary died 
in 1886. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there were 
horn six children, three sons and three daughters: 
Ella W. is the wife of Rev. T. I). Davis, of Otoe 
County, this State; Frederick C.j Lewis W. and 
George A. are all engaged in the hardware business 
in Pawnee City; Julia A. and Louisa M, are at 
home with their parents. .Mr. Harrington, during 
the existence of slavery, was most energetically 
opposed to the peculiar institution, and assisted in 
the organization of the Republican party in 18~>(>. 
He also arrayed himself prominently on the side of 
temperance, lie is a man of decided views, fearless 
in the expression of them, and one not easily 
turned from his convictions. Upon coming to the 
West he was elected the lirst Mayor of Pawnee City 
after its incorporation. He occupies with his family 
a neat and comfortable home in the northeastern 
part of the town, and numbers his friends and 
associates among its most cultivated people. 



WrlLLlAM SUTTON, Secretary and Manager 
of the Table Hock Creamery Association, 
is also a large stockholder in this enter- 
prise, which lias become a leading industry of this 
part of the county. The creamery is eligibly sit- 
uated on Dry Branch, just south of the city of 
Table Rock, and was established in 1883. Its orig- 
inal capacity was 2,500 pounds per day, but is now 
double that, utilizing large quantities of cream sent 
in from an area of twenty-live miles in different 
directions. The main building occupies an area of 
32x60 feet, and is equipped with all the appliances 
requisite for the successful prosecution of the busi- 
iii -s. including a tweiity-live-horsc power engine, 



and the Andrews A- Burnap Oil Test churn, by 
which each man is paid in proportion to the amount 
of I. utter produced from the cream he furnishes. 
During the busy season the creamery gives employ- 
ment to twenty-three men and teams, and it is an- 
ticipated that this force will be greatly enlarged in 
the near future. The butter is in demand at the 
local markets, but a large proportion is sent East, 
where it commands a leading price. The associa- 
tion has invested about $8,000, and utilizes the ref- 
use in feeding from 100 to 300 head of swine. 

Much of the prosperity of the Table Rock Cream- 
ery is due to the excellent management of Mr. Sut- 
ton. Besides his interest in this he owns a good 
farm of 1G0 acres adjacent to the town limits, and 
is also interested in llolstein cattle, being the first 
man to introduce this breed in Pawnee County. He 
has some fine registered animals, and three full- 
bloods, the lirst in this county. He keeps about 
sixty head for dairy purposes, all being well housed 
and carefully fed. In this, as in all other enterprises. 
there is requisite a good understanding of the busi- 
ness, and Mr. Sutton is proving himself finely 
adapted to his calling. 

Our subject, who has spent the greater part of 
his life in the West, was born in Galena, do Daviess 
Co., 111., April 7, 1811. He lived there until a. 
youth of seventeen years, and soon after the out- 
break of the Civil War enlisted in the Union serv- 
ice, Sept. 23, 1861, in an independent battalion 
called the Fremont Rangers, serving four months. 
Later he became identified with the 3d Missouri 
Cavalry, being on the frontier most of the time en- 
gaged as a scout. His service ended Jan. 1, 1865, 
when he received his honorable discharge at Little 
Rock, Ark. 

Upon retiring from the army Mr. Sutton re- 
turned to Illinois and engaged in farming one 
year. Then coming to Nebraska he settled first in 
Nemaha ( ouiity, taking up. in March, 1866, 160 
acres of land, upon which he labored until 1883, 
planting forest and fruit trees, building a good 
house, and adding from time to time other struct- 
ures necessary for his convenience. Later he sold 
out and changed his residence to Benton Precinct, 
whence he came to this county in 1884. Although 
his sojourn here has been comparatively brief, he 



b 



•►H*^ 



^ *W . *• 



4 



498 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 




has established himself in the esteem and confidence 
of his fellow-citizens, as a man of excellent busi- 
ness capacities and undoubted integrity of character. 
He votes the Republican ticket, and has frequently 
been sent as a delegate to the various conventions 
of this county. Socially, he belongs to John N. 
Gere Post No. 165. G. A. R., at Table Rock. 

Miss Sarah J. Flott. of Knox County, 111., be- 
came the wife of our subject March 9, 1868. Five 
children comprise the household circle, all of 
whom are living, and are at home with their par- 
ents. They are named respectively: John R., Mary 
15., Maggie E., George D. and Bessie A. They form 
a bright and intelligent group, are well educated. 
and will in time enter upon worthy positions in 
the community. Mrs. Sutton was born in Adams 
County. Pa., in April. 1844. 



LYIN PEPPERL. In this notice we present 
the record of one of the youngest men 
represented in this work, he being not yet 
twenty-five j'ears of age. Such, however, 
are his natural abilities, his intelligence, industry, 
anil applicatiou to business, that he has already at- 
tained to a prominent position in his community, 
and it is predicted for him that in the near future 
lie will rank among the leading men of this county. 
It is most pleasurable to come in contact with an 
individual of this character, and one so eminently 
deserving of special mention. He is a member of 
the well-known Pepperl family, who have distin- 
guished themselves as among the best citizens of 
the county, and he is at present operating his farm 
of 160 acres, which is pleasantly located on section 
2 in Plum Creek Precinct. In the sketch of his 
father, found on another page in this volume, will 
be noted additional facts relating to the history of 
the family. 

A modest home in the village of Gossawoda, in 
the Austrian Kingdom of Bohemia, sheltered the 
first ten years of our subject, and where his birth 
took place July 20, 1864. He was placed in school 
when a little lad six years of age, obtaining the 
first rudiments of a practical education in his na- 
tive town. His father then decided to seek his 



fortunes on the other side of the Atlantic, and after 
due preparation the family embarked at the port of 
Bremen on the steamer "Rhine," and after a pleas- 
ant voyage of twelve days landed in New York 
City. Two or three days later found them in 
Chicago, 111., where they sojourned about six 
weeks, then started for the farther West, coming 
to this county and settling on a tract of land in 
Plum Creek Precinct. 

The Pepperl family were among the leading pio- 
neers of this precinct, and from a tract of unim- 
proved land the father built up a good homestead 
which is now managed and occupied by his son 
Louis, and which, lying adjacent to the city of 
Burchard, is considered one of the most valuable 
pieces of property in that locality, and it is steadily 
growing in importance as the city increases in size 
and population. Upon this farm Alvin grew to 
manhood, assisting in the labors around the home- 
stead during the seasons of plowing and sowing, 
and attending school during the winters. He re- 
mained under the home roof until twenty-three 
years old, and then, assisted by his father, purchased 
the land which he now owns and occupies. Here 
he partially repeated the experience of his honored 
sire, building up his farm largely from first princi- 
ples, and effecting all the improvements which are 
now upon it. He planted a large area of hedge 
for fencing, has erected a house and barn, with 
corn cribs and other necessary structures, set out 
fruit and forest trees, and has made an admirable 
beginning toward the establishment of a permanent 
home. His land is finely located and amply watered 
by a branch of Wolf Creek. The raising of grain 
and stock engrosses most of his time and atten- 
tion, and the success with which he has already 
met is a fair augury for the future. 

Mr. Pepperl, notwithstanding his farm labors 
have given him ample employment, still takes time 
for reading, thought and study, and keeps himself 
thoroughly posted upon mutters of general interest. 
He is a young man who does his own thinking, 
and after giving the subject due consideration 
allied himself, politically, with the Union Labor 
party. Religiously, he is a devout member of the 
Catholic Church, in the organization of which he , 
assisted, and also in erecting the church edifice. T j 



f 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



499 , l 



He is a young man who labors not for self alone, 

but may always be found aiding the enterprises 
calculated to advance the interests of his com- 
munity. 

/r^RVILLE DUANE HOWE. One of the fin- 

[j J est farms in Table Rock Precinct is that mi 
v^Jf section 5. embracing an area of 200 acres, 
upon which Mr. Howe settled on coming to Ne- 
braska in the year 1871, and has sinee bent his 
efforts to the building up of a homestead, in which 
ho lias most admirably succeeded. He in the year 
1879 purchased Kit) acres in its uncultivated state, 
with the exception of ten acres, which had been 
broken. With the exception of a few stunted 
trees in the ravine there was nothing upon the land 
but prairie grass. Twenty years have effected a vast 
change in the aspect of the property, it being now 
at all points indicative of the results of industry, 
combining close attention to the cultivation of the 
soil with the improvement of the land. There are 
forest and fruit trees in abundance, Mr. Howe hav- 
ing the largest apple orchard in this vicinit}', com- 
prising about 2,500 trees planted over an area of 
thirty acres, and mostly in good bearing condition. 
During the season of 1888 he raised 1,300 bushels 
of apples, besides having a generous quantity for 
the household. This fruit sold from the farm at fifty 
cents per bushel, and in town from sixty to sev- 
enty-five cents. 

In his grain-raising operations Mr. Howe feeds 
largely of this product to his live stock, embracing 
numbers of cattle and swine of high grade. During 
his first few months' sojourn in this county he and 
his family boarded at Mr. T. W. Pepoon's, his 
brother-in-law, while Mr. Howe was constructing 
one of the best houses in the county at that time. 
It was completed during the latter part of 1871, and 
they moved into it in May. 1872. Mr. Howe was 
one of the first men to interest himself in the estab- 
lishment of a schi nil and has held various local of- 
fices. He was appointed County Surveyor in the 
spring of 1872, first to fill a vacancy ; lie was then 
regular by elected and held the position until the 
year 1879, the duties of which he discharged with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- 



ents. In the performance of his duties in connec- 
tion with this he laid out most of the roads in the 
county. In the fall and winter of 1871-72 he was 
Principal of the schools at Falls City, and taught 
five winters in his own district. In 1879 he was 
elected County Superintendent of Schools, and by 
re-election held the office until 1885. In the spring 
of 188G he was appointed County Surveyor, and by 
re-election has held the office ever since. 

In noting thus much of the career of Mr. Howe 
the reader will not be surprised to learn that he is 
an Ohio man. having been born in the city of 
Painesville, Sept. 1, 1831. After leaving the dis- 
trict sehqols he studied at both Oberlin and Hobarl 
Colleges, completing his education in the latter. 
Upon leaving his native State he followed the pro- 
fession of a teacher in Illinois, Michigan and Wis- 
consin before coming to Nebraska. He taught a 
brief season at Mentor, the home of President Gar- 
field, also at Jefferson, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, 
in Warren, 111.. Sherman, Tex., and Shellsburg, 
Wis. In the latter he conducted a private school three 
years. Mr. Howe was previously married in Battle 
Creek to Mary A. Fenton, who was a relative of 
Lieut. Gov. Fenton. She lived six years after their 
marriage and died without children. Subsequently he 
married Miss Mary E. Pepoon, of Warren, III., 
Dec. 21, 1861. Their only son, Edmund D., was 
given an excellent education and graduated from 
the State University at Lincoln, Neb., in 1887. He 
has inherited much of the talent of his father as an 
instructor, and is now occupied as a teacher in this 
county. He was graduated as civil engineer from the 
university. Myrta E., who also takes kindly to her 
books, has already been a student of the univer- 
sity, and the intention of her parents is to give her 
still further educational advantages. These chil- 
dren were prepared for their college course by their 
parents. 

Mrs. Mary E. Howe, the wife of our subject, is 
also a native of Painesville, Ohio, and born June 
26,1831. Her parents were Silas and Mary W. 
Pepoon, the former of whom was born at Hebron, 
Tolland Co., Conn., June 15, 1792, and lived there 
until a lad twelve years of age. Upon reaching 
man's estate he married Miss Mary W. Benedict. 
April 7. 1830, at Morgan, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. 




500 



^r^ ii «• 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



This lad}' was born July 24, 1810, in New Canaan, 
Fairfield Co., Conn., and removed to Ohio before 
her marriage. She became the mother of ten chil- 
dren, seven of whom lived to mature years. Two 
sons died in the army. The father upon leaving 
Ohio took up his abode in Jo Daviess County, 111., 
in 1850, and died there Jan. 21, 1868, surviving 
his wife only a few months, her death taking place 
Aug. 8, 1867. Both were members of the Congre- 
gational Church, and "Deacon Pepoon," as he was 
familiarly called by virtue of his office, was widely 
and favorably known throughout that region. Capt. 
Joseph Pepoon, the paternal grandfather, was also 
a native of Connecticut, and born March 3,1797. 
He emigrated to Painesville, Ohio, in 1804, when 
there was little indication of the present flourishing 
town. He married Miss Eunice Ayers and they 
had five children. Further notice of this family will 
be found in the biography of lion. J. B. Pepoon 
elsewhere in this volume. 

Further facts in relation to Silas Pepoon are ap- 
pended as follows: He was the son of Capt. Joseph 
and Mrs. Eunice Pepoon, who, upon their removal 
to Ohio, as already stated, located near the present 
site of Painesville, which was then an unbroken 
forest. Silas at an early age developed those traits 
of character which characterized his entire life, 
namely, a more than ordinary love of truth and a 
firmness in maintaining his views and opinions, no 
matter how high the authority by which they were 
assailed, and he hated oppression in all its forms. 
While a mere lad he became a member of the Con- 
gregational Church, and was also an earnest advo- 
cate of the temperance cause, being with his broth- 
ers among the first in that region to prosecute farm 
labor without the use of liquor in harvest time. 
It was the anti-slavery cause, however, that en- 
listed his warmest sympathies and which found in 
him one of the most active helpers from its first be- 
ginning to its glorious consummation. He gloried 
in being recognized as the friend and helper of the 
famous Theodore Weld, whose lectures in 1 835 
awoke so much interest and sympathy and also so 
much fierce opposition. The children of Mr. Pe- 
poon remember many interesting incidents con- 
nected with the shelter of hunted fugitive slaves 
beneath his roof. Once a mother and her family 



4 



of little children were hidden away in a chamber, 
and great were the fears of that poor mother lest 
some restless little dark head popping up at a win- 
dow should betray their hiding-place to some slave- 
catching neighbor before they could be smuggled 
away at night to Fairport. Mr. Pepoon was never 
afraid of being in the minority when this seemed to 
him the honest and consistent course. 

Silas Pepoon was one of the few who in 1840 
voted for James G. Birney for President and after- 
ward sustained what was then known as the '-Lib- 
erty party." After his removal to Jo Daviess 
County, 111., he and his sons fought anew the anti- 
slavery battle in that region, given over at that 
time to pro-slavery Democracy, but which is now, 
like the Western Reserve, a stronghold of freedom. 
His five boys later were all in the Union Army, and 
the youngest, Oren, a noble youth, gave his life to 
his country. 

Suffering many years from diseased lungs, Mr. 
Pepoon nevertheless exerted himself to speak in 
public and to otherwise take an active part in the 
interests of religion and reform until two years be- 
fore his death. His wife, Mary, was born in Con- 
necticut, July 24, 1810, and they were married in 
Ohio, April 7, 1830. She, like her husband, was a 
zealous friend of the oppressed, a sympathetic and 
active helper of the afflicted, an energetic and use- 
ful member of society, and a consistent Christian. 
Her death was a severe affliction to her husband, 
who, as before stated, survived her but a few 
months. Four weeks before his decease he wrote 
to his daughter: "It is a happy thought that when 
we leave this world we do not leave all our dear 
friends ; we only change the society of one company 
for another company equally dear." The family 
descended from the French Huguenots, and came to 
America from the Island of Corsica. 

Eber D. Howe, the father of our subject, was 
born June 9, 1798, in the little village of Clifton 
Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y., near the old battle- 
ground where Gen. John Burgayne surrendered to 
Gen. Gates in 1777. His father was a native of 
Long Meadow, Mass., and his mother of Middle- 
town, Conn. In the year 1811 he removed with 
his parents to Canada, settling eight miles west of 
the Falls of Niagara. After the battle of Lundy's 



"tF* 



I'AWNEK COUNTY. 



4 



Lane, in the War of 1812, Grandfather Howe was 
detailed and assigned to the charge of the hospital 
for British prisoners established at Buffalo. Eber 
acted as his father's assistant. Before this he had 
Officiated as cook for the regimental and staff 
officers. 

After the war Eber Howe entered the office of 
the Buffalo Gazette, then the only newspaper west of 
Canandaigua, N. Y. ; subsequently the Daily Com- 
mercial Advertiser of the present day emanated 
from that establishment. In March, 1K17, he was 
sent to assist in the printing of the Chautauqua 
tte, which had been established in the village 
of Fredonia, fifty miles farther west, but after 
seven months he returned to Buffalo. 

In September, 1817, Eber Howe was engaged for 
one mouth to assist in putting in operation the first 
newspaper printed in Erie, Pa., and set most of the 
type for the first number of the Erie Gazette, which 
is still flourishing. lie spent the following winter 
in Fredonia, and in April started for the West. His 
possessions then consisted of a horse, saddle, bri- 
dle, a valise and *l\j in cash. In four days he ar- 
rived at the then village of Cleveland, containing 
about 200 inhabitants. Here he discovered a pa- 
per called the Cleveland Register, which had been 
put in operation the year before, but the type used 
was so badly worn that the impression was almost 
illegible. The Register was discontinued a few 
months after the establishment of the Herald by 
Mr. Howe. 

In the first number of the Cleveland Herald was 
a very strong remonstrance against the crying evils 
of American slavery. The first vote of Mr. Howe 
was cast this year for James Munrue. Two years 
later he severed his connection with the Herald, his 
partner continuing its publication. In the spring 
of 1822 he went to Painesville with the view of 
starting a paper to be called the Painesville Tele- 
graph. By this time business prospects began to 
appear a little more favorable. After many dif- 
ficulties and trials had been encountered the first, 
number of the Painesville Telegraph was sent out 
on the 16th of July, 1822, with live advertisements 
and about 150 subscribers. 

In June, 1822, Eber Howe was married, after a 
courtship of six years, to Bliss Sophia Hull, of 
4* 



Clarence, N. Y. Her father was from Berkshire 
County, Mass., a soldier of the Revolutionary War, 
and settled on the Holland Purchase in 1806. She 
was one of a family of twelve children, nine daugh- 
ters and three sons. A woman of perseverance, in- 
dustry and economy, she was likewise kind and be- 
nevolent toward all in her sphere. Her unusually 
excellent health remained almost entirely unim- 
paired until about six months before her decease, 
which was occasioned by a cancerous tumor in the 
stomach. Mrs. Howe was one of the first to join 
with her husband in the anti-slavery movement, 
working equally with him to assist the fugitives 
from bondage. 

In January, 1835, Mr. Howe severed his connec- 
tion with the Painesville Telegraph, and the paper 
passed into the hands of a younger brother, Asa- 
hel, who published it from 1834 to 1841. Mr. Howe 
resided in Painesville and its immediate vicinity 
for fifty-six years, and during that period was en- 
gaged most of the time in printing and the manu- 
facture of woolen goods. In 1834 he wrote ami 
compiled a book of 2'J0 pages, which was entitled, 
"Mormonism Unveiled," and which contained a 
true history of the rise and progress of the sect up 
to that time. 

In 1817 Mr. Howe witnessed the launching 
of the first steamer that entered the waters of 
Lake Eric. It was called "Walk-in- the-Water." 
He spent his eightieth birthday in Nebraska among 
his children. Religiously, he was a strong believer 
in Spiritualism. His decease took place Nov. 10, 
1885. 

In politics Mr. Orville D. Howe was formerly a 
member of the Free-Soil party, and on the forma- 
tion of the Republican party became identified 
with it and a strong supporter of its principles. 



GEORGE W. WELCH. There is no section 
of country in the world more favorable to 
the breeding of fine stock than the prairies 
of the West. Under careful cultivation these now 
yield a rich pasture, and a huge proportion of the 
fanning community of this county some time since 
discovered that this industry was very profitable 




501 




*r 



u 



*9 U ^B 



.-,0 2 



PAW NEK COUNTY, 



and comparatively easy. Among the men who 
have attained to notoriety in connection herewith, 
is the subject of this sketch, who holds a position 
in the front ranks as a breeder of fine horses and 
cattle. In connection with the hist mentioned, he 
has one of the best Clyde stallions in Southern Ne- 
braska, an imported animal, and also a very valu- 
able imported Cleveland Bay. He is excelled by 
no man in this part of the country in this depart- 
ment of agriculture. The Short-horn is his fa- 
vorite breed of cattle. 

Montgomery County, Ohio, was the early tramp- 
ing ground of our subject, and where he first opened 
his eyes to the light May 25, 1827, and where he 
was brought up on a farm. There were eight chil- 
dren in his father's family, and but four of whom 
are now living. The parents, Samuel and Mary 
(Taylor) Welch, were natives of Ohio, and the 
father traced his ancestry to the Principality of 
Wales. He was a farmer by occupation, and was 
reared to manhood in his native State, where also 
he was married. Shortly afterward he emigrated 
to Illinois, settling in Edgar County, where he and 
his estimable wife spent the remainder of their 
days. Samuel Welch, however, onl} - lived to be 
middle aged, dying when our subject was a little 
lad of seven years. The mother survived her hus- 
band a long period, and passed away at her home in 
Illinois in 1882. 

Our subject remained with his mother until reach- 
ing man's estate, receiving a common-school edu- 
cation, and becoming familiar with the various 
employments of the farm. At the age of twenty 
he started out for himself, working a farm in Edgar 
County, 111., but finally repaired to Piatt County, 
111., where he spent some years engaged in farming. 
In the spring of 1857 we find him on his journey to 
the farther West, and shortly afterward he estab- 
lished himself on a tract of Government land nine 
miles southwest of the present site of Pawnee City. 
It must be remembered that Nebraska was then in 
its Territorial days. He proved up his first claim 
of 160 acres, purchased an additional quarter-sec- 
tion, and later became owner of another tract of 
120 acres. This latter he presented to his son. 

After carrying on general farming a number of 
years, Mr. Welch turned his attention more exclu- 



sively to stock-raising and the feeding of cattle. 
He removed from his farm to Pawnee City in 1884, 
since which time he has been quite extensively en- 
gaged in the breeding of draft and carriage horses. 
He is an excellent judge of the equine race, as the 
result of his transactions testifies. 

The 2d of November, 1841, proved to our sub- 
ject one of the most important days in his life, he 
then being wedded to Miss Jennett Mallory, of Piatt 
County, 111. This lady was born at Harper's Ferry, 
Va., Oct. 7, 1827, and is the daughter of George 
and Elizabeth (Hendricks) Mallory, who were also 
natives of the Old Dominion. Six children in due 
time gathered around the family board of Mr. and 
Mrs. Welch. They were named respectively : Mary 
E.j Emma, Silas N., Charles M., Frances and Har- 
riet S. They are all married except Harriet, and 
are all living in this county. 

Notwithstanding his extensive agricultural inter- 
ests, Mr. Welch during the early days of Pawnee 
County interested himself in those projects tending 
for the best welfare of the young community. He 
waa one of the members of the first School Board 
organized in this precinct, and took the first census, 
covering a territory which now embraces four pre- 
cincts. He identified himself with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 1862, and in political matters 
invariably gives his support to the principles of the 
Republican party. He was the first man to intro- 
duce blooded draft horses in Pawnee County. 



«^*<f-»<5tf— 



E 



«^j^i«^»t5» 



DGAR WOOD. The farming community of 
Pawnee Precinct numbers among its most 
It i — <? , active and prominent men the subject of 
this sketch. He owns and occupies a fine estate on 
section 1, where he has effected first-class improve- 
ments, bringing the soil to a fine state of cultivation, 
and keeping himself well posted upon the matters 
appertaining to his calling. He is a man of de- 
cided views, prompt to meet his obligations, and 
one whose opinions are held in general respect. 

The fourth in a family of nine children, five 
daughters and four sons, our subject was born in 
Medina County, Ohio, March 16, 1845. His par- 
ents were Joseph and Julia (Case) Wood, the father 



^W 



•*-G- 



■«•■ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



=4* 

503 , k 



a native of Massachusetts, born in 1818, and the 
mother a native of New York State, born in 1819. 
Joseph Wood was a tanner by trade, and emigrated 
from his native State to New York at an early 
period in his life. Thence after their marriage the 
parents removed to Ohio, of which they were resi- 
dents for a period of twenty-seven years. From 
there they moved to Marquette County, Wis.; 
the father died in 1884, while a resident of Iowa, and 
the mother in 1887. 

Only live survive of the numerous family of the 
parents of our subject, lie was the fourth in order 
of birth, and spent his childhood and youth mostly 
in Ids native State, mostly receiving his education 
in the common school. lie attended school a short 
time after the removal of the family to Wisconsin, 
and remained with his parents until a youth of 
seventeen, when he left home to enter the army. 
He eidisted in Company II, Kith Wisconsin Infan- 
try, and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee 
under command of Gen. Grant. He took part 
thereafter in two of the important battles of the 
war, namely : Shiloh.and the second fight at Corinth, 
and was wounded by a gunshot through the left 
cheek, the ball passing through the jaw, knocking 
out one tooth and resulting in the loss of two 
others. He was for two days on the battle-field 
confined in the hospital, and was then taken in 
charge by a family in Kentucky, who cared for 
him until he was able to join his regiment six 
months later. 

The pluck}' youth as soon as recovering from his 
wounds was read}' for another fray, and fought 
with his comrades not long afterward at the second 
battle of Corinth. He was destined to meet with 
disappointment, however, later; his wounds began 
troubling him and he was ill otherwise. He was 
accordingly obliged to accept his honorable dis- 
charge, being mustered out of service in the fall of 
1862. He returned to his home in Wisconsin, and 
after recovering his health employed himself vari- 
ously for a time, and finally engaged as cook on a 
river steamer for a term of three years. 

In the twenty-third year of his age our subject 
was married to Miss Elizabeth, eldest daughter of 
W. S. Lane, Esq., of Walworth County, Wis. Soon 
afterward the young couple set out for Nebraska. 



and settled on the land comprising the present 
homestead in Pawnee Precinct. The farm is now 
320 acres in extent, and the land has been brought 
to a good state of cultivation. There is a neat and 
substantial dwelling, a good barn and the other nec- 
essary out-buildings, a fine apple orchard, and trees 
of the smaller fruit. In his stock operations, an 
industry to which he has given particular attention 
in late years, Mr. Wood has attained quite a repu- 
tation as a breeder of llambletonian and Norman 
horses of high grade. His cattle are Short-horns 
and his swine Poland-Chinas. 

The children of Mr. anil Mrs. Wood, six in 
number, were named respectively: William P., 
Addie, Nellie, Pobert, Lilly and Leland. They 
form a bright and interesting family, and are all at 
home with their parents. Mr. Wood, socially, be- 
longs to the G. A. R., and in political matters votes 
the straight Republican ticket. His paternal grand- 
father, John Wood, carried a musket in the War of 
1812; his wife was Miss Mary Warren, a descend- 
ant of the noted family of that name. Our subject 
began his career in Nebraska on fort} - acres of land, 
and his present accumulations are the result of his 
own unaided industry and good judgment. He 
and his family occupy a high social position, being 
numbered among the leading residents of this part 
of the county. 



< 



"#-# 



> 



'if/OHN IZER, a gentleman of much influence 
and prominence in Mission Creek Precinct, 
I j is managing with good financial results a 
jK§X I quarter-section of land, which, since it came 
into his possession, he has placed under excellent 
improvement, making it one of the most desirable 
farms in this part of Pawnee County. lie devotes 
much attention to feeding cattle, and his stock con- 
sists of high-grade Short-horns. 

Our subject was born May 1-1, 1837, near the 
town of Unionville, Frederick Co., Md. His father, 
George Izer, was also born in that county, in Au- 
gust. 1805. His mother, whose maiden name was 
Rachel Foglesong, was likewise a native of that 
county, born in May, 1805. John Izer, the grand- 
father of our subject, was of German descent, but 



I 



« > % c+ 



-•* 



4~ 



, i 504 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



was born, reared and died in Maryland, whore he 
was for many years engaged in farming. Peter 
Foglesong, the maternal grandfather of our subject, 
who was of German descent and of American birth, 
was a Maryland farmer during the larger part of li is 
life. He was a private in the Revolution. The 
father of our subject was reared in his native State, 
and after learning the butcher's trade, opened a 
shop in Union ville, and also farmed to some extent. 
In 1871 he removed to Seymour, 111., engaged in 
fanning there some two years, and then, returning 
to Maryland, lived retired, having laid up a com- 
fortable competence. His death occurred in Car- 
roll County, in February, 1883. His wife died in 
1878. They were both devoted members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and led upright and 
blameless lives, entitling them to the respect and 
esteem of those about them. They were the par- 
ents of four children, namely : Jeremiah (deceased), 
John, Barbara and Sarah. Jeremiah was a member 
of the 7th Maryland Infantry, and near Petersburg, 
in liSti3, was wounded in the leg, and died from 
the effects of it. 

John Izer grew to manhood on his father's Mary- 
land farm, obtaining his education in a school con- 
ducted on the pay system. In 185G, when twenty 
years of age, he left home and sought work on a 
farm in Monticello, Piatt Co., 111. He remained 
there for a few years, and a part of the time rented 
land. He was in that State when the war biokeout, 
and was among the first to respond to the call for 
troops, enlisting in April, 1861, in Company C, 21st 
Illinois Infantry, was mustered into service at Camp 
Butler, and there spent his three-months term of 
enlistment; he having no musket could not go into 
action. He returned to his Illinois home, and Aug. 
14, 1862, re-enlisted, in Company C, 107th Illinois 
Infantry, was mustered into the 2d Brigade, 2d 
Division, 23d Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee. 
He and his comrades were sent to Kentucky, and 
took part in the engagements at Elizabethtown, 
Saliua, Lookout Mountain, siege of Knox ville; 
joined Sherman on his march through Georgia, and 
were present at the battles of Resaca, Snake Creek 
Gap, Dallas, Burnt Hickory, Buzzard's Roost, Cum- 
berland Gap, and siege of Atlanta from the 22d to 
29th. His regiment was then dispatched to Nash- 
~4« 



ville with Gen. Thomas, engaged in the battle at 
that point, and then went to Goldsboro, N. C, 
and from there marched to Raleigh. After Lee's 
surrender our subject and the remaining members 
of the 107th Illinois were stationed on guard duty 
at Salisbury, N. C. They were mustered out in 
June, 1865, at that point, and went back to Illinois, 
where the}' were discharged and paid off at Spring- 
field, July 6. 

Mr. Izer, during his long term of service in the 
army, took part in some of the most hotly contested 
buttles of the war, and gained an honorable reputa- 
tion for efficiency and courage in the face of dan- 
ger that showed him to be a good soldier. He con- 
tracted rheumatism while in the South, and was 
disabled for awhile on that account. He then went 
to work on a farm, and in 1868 bought a tract of 
uncultivated land in Champaign County, improved 
it well, and then bought eighty acres adjacent, and 
in a few years, by assiduous labor, had a highly cul- 
tivated farm of 160 acres. He continued farming 
and stock-raising in the Prairie State until 1882, 
and in the spring of that year sold out. In the fall 
of the same year he purchased 160 acres of land in 
Mission Creek, this county, and in March, 1883, 
came here by rail and took possession of it. The 
land was partly improved, but he has since wrought 
many changes on it, budding a substantial house, 
erecting a windmill, tanks, etc., and in connection 
with his homestead is operating three-quarters of a 
section of land in the same precinct. He buys 
and feeds cattle, as before stated, and ships two car- 
loads of his own stock each year. He has some fine 
horses, and uses two teams to carry on his farming 
operations. 

To assist him in the upbuilding of this cozy, at- 
tractive home, our subject has been blessed by a 
good wife, to whom he was united in marriage in 
Seymour, 111., Nov. 4, 1869. The household circle 
is completed by the four children born of their 
union, namel}': Anna, Charles, Jannie and Arthur. 
Two are deceased, George M. and William Frank- 
lin, the former dying when ten years of age, and 
the latter in infancy. Mrs. Izer's maiden name was 
Sarah Winner, and she was born in Shelby County, 
Ohio, Feb. 11, 1851. 

Mr. Izer acts well his part as a useful citizen, a 




»► m<*> 



I'AWNKE COUNTY. 



505 






kind neighbor, a good husband and a devoted 
father. Be is a man of solid, practical sense, which, 
with bis industrious habits, has contributed largely 
to his prosperity. He is an open-hearted, genial 
man. whose admirable traits of character have 
gained him many warm friends. lie is public- 
spirited and readily contributes to and encourages 
the various schemes for promoting the advance- 
ment of the precinct. As Supervisor of Roads he 
has labored hard to have good highways, and keep 
them in tine order. In the affairs of this great Re- 
public, which, as a soldier, he helped to save from 
disintegration, he is keenly interested, and votes as 
he fought, to uphold the policy of the Republican 
party. 



.. SA E. HEYWOOD. Prominent among the 
Willi very earliest pioneersof Pawnee County is 




I\ the subject of this brief personal narrative, 

who has been a property holder here since 
the fall of 1856, when he settled on the land where 
he now lives. His homestead comprises 120 acres 
of arable land, which at that time was in its 
virgin state, not a furrow having been turned. 
There was a small log house on the place, occupied 
by the Hintons, into which he moved, and the fol- 
lowing spring he commenced breaking up and im- 
proving the land. He has set out a good orchard. 
fenced bis entire farm, and has it now all under 
good cultivation, excepting fifty acres of fine tim- 
ber land. In 1859 Mr. Heywood built a good 
frame bouse in Table Rock, where he lived for 
some time, but which he subsequently moved to 
this place. In 1860 our subject visited Ohio, and 
on his return freighted farm produce from hereto 
Denver. He afterward boughl a ranch twenty- 
two miles west of Ft. Kearney, on the Platte River, 
where he carried on an extensive ranch business, 
furnishing meals and feed for stock, and hav- 
ing stable room for 300 horses. After living 
there two years he was driven out by the Indians, 
who stole his property and killed some of his neigh- 
bors, he being obliged to evacuate bis premises on 
a few moments' warning. He left on the stage, 
traveling in it until he met the soldiers, when he 
returned with them, and for two weeks assisted in 



T 



burying the dead and hunting the savages. After 

leaving Ft. Kearney our subject went lo Omaha, 
thence to White (loud. Kan., where he engaged for 
one year in the mercantile business. In 1865 he 
returned to his homestead, and has since that time 
devoted himself to agricultural Labors. Since com- 
ing here .Ml'. Heywood has had the Same Obstacles 
to combat that beset other early settlers Of this 
beautiful State. Laving been visited by grasshop- 
pers that tor two or three years reaped his harvests 
for him, and having his crops blighted by drouth 
during the season of the Nebraska-Kansas famine, 
no rain falling the entire summer with the ex- 
ception of two slight showers. Our subject, bow- 
ever, felt that he had no grounds for complaint, as 
he raised twenty bushels of corn to the acre in 
spite of the unfavorable season. He carries on 
general farming on an extensive scale, feeding his 
large annual crop of corn to his cattle. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio, 
born June 11, 183H. on a farm near Troy. Miami 
County, where he was reared and educated. Wesley 
Heywood, the father of our subject, was born in 
New England, and after living there many years 
moved to Ohio, where he subsequently met and 
married as his second wife Miss Amanda Elliott. 
After a few years of pleasant married life Mr. Hey- 
wood died in 1*17, leaving his widow with three 
children. She reared and educated her family by 
her own efforts for a few years, and then remar- 
ried, and subsequently removed to Nebraska. where 
her death occurred dune 30, 1880. 

When Asa E, Heywood, of whom we write, came 
to this county he was accompanied by his mother, 
his stepfather Nathan Heywood, one brother, one 
sister and two half-sisters. The sister and brother 
have since died, he being the only surviving mem- 
ber of the family of Wesley Heywood. For the 
greater part of the time since making his home in 

this precinct Mr. Heyw 1 has taken a prominent 

part in educational matters, having been Moder- 
ator of the Bchool district, and one of the men 
who assisted in building t he present school-house. 
Previous to LtS erection the only Schools in the 
precinct wire one taught by Mrs. Ball of this dis- 
trict in a log house of her own. and one taught by 
Miss Frances .1. Mumford (now the wife of our sub- 



•*-$£> 



506 



-•* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 






ject) in the village of Table Rock, in a lug school- 
house that had formerly been used as a dwelling, 
that <Jeing one of the first schools in the count}-. 
It was a select school where each pupil paid his 
Own tuition; she had thirty scholars enrolled, and 
made $25 a month. Mrs. lleywood while a young 
lady was a student of Arrow Rock prior to teach- 
ing in Table Rock. She gave up the calling of 
teacher to become the wife of our subject. Their 
marriage was consummated April 17, 186(1. She is 
a native of Wayne County, l'a., born March 16, 
1839. Jerry Mumford, her great-grandfather, was 
one of the very earliest settlers of Wayne County, 
where he spent his last years. His son Thomas, 
grandfather of Mrs. lleywood, spent his entire life 
in that county, and there his son Martin J., the 
father of Mrs. lleywood, was born Feb. 26, 1808, 
in Mt. Pleasant Township. lie was reared and 
educated in his native town, receiving a good edu- 
cation, and teaching school there until twenty-two 
years of age. He then moved to Susquehanna 
County, where he married, in July, 1829, Miss 
Maria Tracy, by whom he had twelve children, five 
of whom grew to maturity, and three are still liv- 
ing. Mr. Mumford settled on a farm in that 
county, and remained there until 1856, when he 
disposed of his property and came to Nebraska 
with his family. He became one of the orginal 
settlers of Table Rock Precinct, and at once identi- 
fied himself with its interests, taking a prominent 
part in public affairs. He was the first Justice of 
the Peace ever elected in that part of the county, 
and held the office for thirty years, from 1856 Jo 
1886. He served as Count}' Assessor for one year, 
and has also been a conveyancer. He is a worthy 
representative of the stalwart pioneers of the early 
daj-s, who, with their energetic and industrious 
characteristics, sound common sense and excellent 
business tact, have so well advanced the interests of 
their communities. He has retired from the active 
labors of life, having by assiduous toil amassed a 
sufficient sum to enable him to spend the remain- 
der of his years free from care. Mrs. Mumford, 
who died Feb. 23, 1885, was born in Connecticut, 
Nov. 18, 1801, and is- the daughter of Jeremiah 
Tracy, a farmer of that State, who subsequently 
, moved to Wayne County, Pa. Both Mr. and Mrs. 



■.' 



Mumford communed at the Methodist Episcopal 
Church after coming to Nebraska, although in Penn- 
sylvania they had been members of the Presbyter- 
ian Church. 

The union of our subject and his wife has been 
blessed by the birth of eight children, four of whom 
are living, namely: Albert L. was married, Jan. in, 
1889, to Miss Mary A. Harrison, and they reside in 
Table Rock Precinct; Elliot M., Katie M. and 
Wilma. The three latter are at home and are re- 
ceiving the benefit of a good education. 

During his long career as a pioneer and citizen 
of Pawnee Comity our subject has over displayed 
most excellent business qualities and discriminating 
judgment, and has proved a most valuable coun- 
selor in all matters pertaining to the welfare of 
this township. Both he and his wife are people of 
high consideration in social circles, and are much 
esteemed for their courtesy and geniality. Politi- 
cally, Mr. lleywood formerly was a Republican, but 
is now a Prohibitionist. 



-~*-^>f££^^- 



/p^ EORGE W. COLLINS. The medical frater- 
(l[ c —~ nity of Pawnee City recognizes in the subject 

\^J( of this record one of its most worthy and effi- 
cient representatives. Like many of his compeers, 
he emanated from the Prairie State, having been 
born in Grundy County, June 26, 1837. Therein 
Collins, his father, was a native of New York State, 
born in Dutchess County, in 1809. The mother, 
whose maiden name was Van Dalfsen, was also 
born in New York State. The paternal grand- 
father, Joshua Collins, was also a native of the Em- 
pire State, and of Irish extraction. The Van Dalf- 
sens originated in Holland. 

Theron Collins in his early life followed the sea a 
period of twenty years, but finally settled upon 
terra firma, and carried on farming a number of 
years in Grundy County, 111. He finally crossed 
the Mississippi into Kansas, where his death took 
place at Parsons, in 1883. The wife and mother 
survived her husband two years, her death taking 
place also at Parsons. Their family consisted of 
four sons and four daughters, all of whom are liv- 
ing. George W. was the second born, and after 



'4 



-•» 



4- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



507 



leaving the primary schools entered the academic 
department of Lombard University, where he com- 
pleted a thorough course of instruction and devel- 
oped into a teacher. He followed this profession 
four years while at the university. 

Upon retiring from the duties above mentioned 
Dr. Collins began the study of law in the office of 
W. W. Stevens, of Joliet, 111., and was admitted to 
the bar in the Supreme Court of Illinois. He also 
attended a course in the Chicago University. In 
the fall of 18G5 he came to Pawnee City, and there- 
after for a period of ten years gave close attention 
to the practice of law. He had also in the mean- 
time given mucli attention to the study of medi- 
cine, while pursuing his law studies, and his re- 
searches in this direction induced him to look 
favorably upon the homeopathic S3'Stem of prac- 
tice. He is now in the enjoyment of a generous 
patronage, having all the calls to which he can pos- 
sibly give attention. 

Our subject while a resident of Illinois estab- 
lished matrimonial and domestic ties, being united 
in marriage with Miss May J. Randal], of Grundy 
County. This lady became the mother of four 
children, one of whom, George W., died at the 
age of four years. The survivors are Edward L., 
Hattie V. and Kate A. To his present wife, who 
was formerly Miss Anna Agnew, he was married in 
Pawnee City, in 1873, and they have three children 
— Maggie L., Walter II. and Glenn W. 

The excellent medical capacity and integrity of 
Dr. Collins have received ample recognition from his 
fellow-citizens in his selection for various offices of 
trust and responsibility. He was, in 1870, elected 
to represent Pawnee County in the Nebraska Legis- 
lature, which position he filled acceptably two years, 
and later was elected Speaker of the House. In re- 
spect to political issues lie is classed with the Repub- 
lican party, and was one of the Presidential Electors 
in the campaign of 1880, at the time of the candidacy 
of Garfield and Arthur. He has frequently ofliciated 
as Chairman of important committees and as a dele- 
gate to the various conventions of his party. In 
religious matters he belongs to the Presbyterian 
Church, and socially, is a member of Pawnee Lodge 
No. '.'3, A. F. & A. M.; Kearney Chapter. R. A., and 
Mt. Hebron Commandery No. 12, K. T. lie h.is 
<*• 




stumped the State twice in the interest of his party, 
once for Garfield and upon another occasion for E. 
K. Valentine, the Republican candidate for Con- 
gress from the Third District. 

KNJAMIN HEER. Among the early set- 
tlers of Pawnee County, who by their en- 
terprise, thrift and good business ability, 
have added largely to the development 
and progress of the several townships, are many 
who were born in an Empire across the sea and 
sought independence in the territory protected by 
the stars and stripes. Prominent among the num- 
ber is the subject of this sketch, who is a native of 
Germany, born Aug. 20, 1844. He is a son of 
John Heer, who still lives, and carries on farming 
in the Fatherland. 

Under the strict school laws of his native land our 
subject obtained a good education, and from his 
father practical instruction in tilling the soil. At the 
age of twenty years he determined to emigrate to 
America and see what life had to offer to him in this 
country, and coming to the United States he made 
Illinois his first stopping place. He remained in 
that State about three years, and then sought new 
fields of labor in Nebraska, and for some years was 
employed in a nursery in Brownville. During this 
time our subject worked steadily, and by prudence, 
economy and thrift saved some money, and became 
the owner of forty acres of land in Richardson 
County. Disposing of that in 1878 Mr. Heer came 
to Pawnee County, and pre-empted eighty acres of 
wild prairie land on section 10 of Table Rock Pre- 
cinct. He at once began breaking up the land and 
developing a farm, one of his first improvements 
having been to build a substantial house 16x20 
feet, it being decidedly better than the average 
dwelling of the early settlers of the State. By his 
energy, industry and perseverance, coupled. with 
good business tact and sagacious judgment, our 
subject has since made many other improvements, 
having set out an orchard and forest trees, added 
another tract of land adjoining his original claim, 
and has now a line, rich and productive farm of 
120 acres, second to none of its size in the locality. 



-*- " -«- 



i l 508 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



^HH« 



lie has it well fenced, and lias erected good out- 
buildings, stable and barn, and lias all the appliances 
for carrying on general farming and stock-raising. 
Me pays considerable attention to the latter branch 
of agriculture, and has a fine lot of cattle and hogs. 

In all public affairs Mr. Heer evinces a good deal 
of interest, especially in matters relating to the 
training and education of the young, and when 
building the school-house in his district, No. 49, his 
fellow-citizens found no one more willing to assist, 
and for seven years thereafter he served with abil- 
ity as Treasurer of the district. In politics our 
subject is a stanch Republican, firmly upholding the 
principles of that party. He is an honest, honorable 
man in every particular, one whose word is as good 
as his bond, and as such he has the esteem and good- 
will of the entire community in which he resides. 

Mr. Heer has been twice married. His first wife, 
to whom he was married in 1871, was Miss Mary F. 
Buck, of Richardson County. After a happy mar- 
ried life of four years she passed away, leaving two 
children, John and Katie. The second union of our 
subject, which occurred in September, 1878, was to 
Miss Martha McNeil, of this county. She is a na- 
tive of Missouri, born Dec. 31, 1855, and is a 
daughter of William and Ellen McNeil, who reared 
a large family of children, and moved some years 
ago from Missouri to this State. 

Of this marriage seven children have been born 
to our subject and his wife, six of whom are still 
living, namely: Marion, Aloise, Ellis, Charles, Frank 
and Nancy T. M. 






I 




•f 



IIARLES NEADER, an industrious, pro- 
essive and practical farmer of Sheridan 
ecinct, may well be called a pioneer of 
Pawnee County, notwithstanding that he was a lad 
when he came here in 1 868, as he has greatly as- 
sisted in its development. He is of German line- 
age, born in Boone County, Mo., Dec. 30, 1859. 
His father, William Neader, was a native of Ger- 
many, and when a young man came to America, 
settling in Illinois, whence he removed to Rock- 
port, Mo. Living there until 1861, he at that 
time returned East as lav as Illinois, and for some 

4* 



years was a resident of that State. In 18C8 he re- 
moved to this State, and first located in Sheridan 
Precinct, where he rented a small farm. He sub- 
sequeutlj- engaged in farming in Clear Creek Pre- 
cinct, remaining there until his death. He was a 
man of sterling worth, whose honesty, integrity 
and probity justly entitled him to the high respect 
in which he was held by all. The maiden name of 
his wife, mother of our subject, was Martha Shad- 
ham. She was born in Virginia. To her and the 
father of our subject there were born seven chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living. The mother of 
our subject is now living in Idaho, she having 
married a Mr. Wicks, and subsequently moved to 
that Territory. 

Charles Neader was but two years of age when 
his parents moved to Illinois, and a boy of eight 
years when he came to this county, where he has 
since lived, this being practically the only home he 
has known. Here he received his education in the 
public schools of the township, in the intervals 
of school attendance assisting his father in the 
labors on the farm. While living in Clear Creek 
Precinct our subject had the misfortune to lose his 
father, and being the eldest of the children, the 
support of the family depended on him and his 
mother. He bravely shouldered his share of the 
burden, and being a lad of more than ordinary 
courage, manliness and self-reliance, he was of great 
assistance in providing for the wants of the house- 
hold. He remained on the farm which his father 
had rented until 1883, when he purchased his pres- 
ent homestead, consisting of eighty acres of rich 
and fertile land on section 23, Sheridan Precinct. 
Not having sufficient ready money to make a cash 
payment of $2,100, Mr. Neader has labored hard. 
and, with excellent management, has been enabled 
to make the payments as they fell due, and now has 
the farm nearly cleared from indebtedness. The 
land at the time of the purchase was partly im- 
proved, groves of forest trees and an orchard bav- 
in!,'- been set out, and our subject has in the interim 
made many other valuable improvements, having 
it now well fenced and under a good state of culti- 
vation. Mr. Neader is interested in stock-raising, 
and has already started a herd on his farm. He is 
one of the promoters of the new system of dehoin- 

•> 



r 



•fr-1^- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



i*H|-«*« 



509 



ing cattle, and having the instruments for bo doing, 
has dehorned his own and those of many other far- 
mers in the vicinity. 

Mr. Neader was united in marriage to Miss 
Louisa Fellers, Dee. 28, 1882. Mrs. Neader was 
born not one mile from her present home, in Paw- 
nee County. Aug. 12, 1864, and is a daughter of 
Andrew Fellers, a well-known pioneer of Table 
Rock. To gladden the hearts and brighten the 
home of our subject and his wife have come two 
children, Frank and Katie. 

Mr. Xeader is a wide-awake, public-spirited citi- 
zen, ready and willing to advance all worthy en- 
terprises for the benefit of his township. He is 
doing efficient service in the cause of local educa- 
tion as Moderator of this district. In politics he is 
one of the most earnest supporters of the Repub- 
lican party. He is a generous, high-minded man, 
careful and considerate in his dealings witli others, 
and, with his estimable wife, occupies a position of 
social prominence in this community. 




UBBARD S. JENKINS. The profession of 
builder and contractor is one of the most 
important in the industrial world, and of 
this the gentleman whose name introduces 
this sketch is a most finished and reliable repre- 
sentative. He cast his lot with the people of the 
Far West June 12, 18.50, and has sojourned in 
Nebraska since that time, but for six 3'ears was 
temporarily absent for shorter or longer periods 
fighting across the plains, making fourteen round 
trips to Denver. 

Madison County, N. V.. was the early tramping 
ground of our subject, where his birth took place 
June 12. 1833. The family of his parents, Robert 
and Laura C. (Coley) Jenkins, consisted of six 
children, of whom our subject was the fourth in 
order of birth, and of whom five survive. Robert 
Jenkins was a carpenter by trade, and the parents, 
leaving the Empire State in 1843, took- up their 
abode in Morgan County, 111. Our subject there 
remained a member of the parental household until 
attaining his majority, in the meantime learning 



the trade of carpenter. Two years later, in May 
of 1850, he crossed the Father of Waters, and 
until 1859 carried on farming in Table Rock Pre- 
cinct, this county. It is hardly necessary to say 
that this region at that period was peopled by only 
a few adventurous settlers. Markets and mills 
were remote, and the pioneer agriculturist experi- 
enced all the difficulties of life in a new country. 

Young Jenkins in November of the year above 
mentioned determined to push on toward the Pa- 
cific, and accordingly crossed the plains and for 
six years was engaged in freighting, as above stated. 
He then resumed work at his trade at Table Rock, 
from the year 1807 to 18G9. He had been mar- 
ried, on the 14th of September, 1854, in Waterloo, 
111., to Miss Louise Horine, who was born Feb. 3, 
1837, the daughter of Matthew T. and Mary (Bry- 
ant) Horine, who were natives of Kentucky and 
Ohio respectively. Both are now deceased. They 
have four children living, namely : Frank Albert, a 
resident of San Francisco, Cal., and occupied as a 
harness-maker; Clarence Morrison, in Sioux City, 
a tobacconist; Nellie and Jessie L. are at home. 
Willie died in Illinois; May died in Nebraska; 
Mathias II. died at Lincoln in 188G. 

The principles of the Democratic party Mr. 
Jenkins claims are good enough for him, while in 
social matters he is identified with Interior Lodge 
No. 9, I. O. O. F. Otherwise than serving as 
a Judge of Elections, he has carefulby avoided the 
responsibilities of office. 

David W. Bryant, grandfather of Mrs. J., and 
cousin of William Cullen Bryant, was a Colonel in 
the Black Hawk War. 



AKIIKCKW. DAVENPORT forms one of 
(II (— , the leading representatives of the real-estate 

\^j) and insurance business in Pawnee City, in 
which he established himself in 1883. During his 
six years' residence here he has also established 
himself in the esteem ami confidence of the people, 
and is filling his niche worthily as an exponent of 
some of its most important business interests. 

The Empire State furnished to our subject his 
first impressions of human life, behaving been horn 






510 



^•*HH* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



there April 13, 1843. He was the fifth in a family 
of seven children, all of whom with one exception 
are living. That one was a favorite brother who 
surrendered his life in his country's cause during 
the late war. The father, Elijah J. Davenport, also 
a native of New York State, was born in 1816, and 
is stiil living, being a resident of this county. Dur- 
ing the active years of his life he was engaged in 
mercantile pursuits, and was quite prominent in his 
native county, serving as Sheriff, a post for which 
he was peculiarly well fitted, being of strong and 
courageous disposition and resolute spirit. He had 
many a tussle with the rough element of Putnam 
and adjoining counties. 

Mrs. Phebe A. (Ilaight) Davenport, the mother 
of our subject, was a native of the same State as 
her husband and son, and the daughter of George 
Haight. The Davenport family removed to Illinois, 
where they lived seven years, and in the fall of 
1 858 came to this county, settling on a tract of land 
ten miles southeast of Pawnee City, near the town 
of DuBois. The boyhood days of our subject were 
spent in Illinois and Nebraska, in each of which he 
attended the district school, and when not engaged 
at his books assisted his parents around the home- 
stead. His business career began in the grocery 
business there with the firm of Shellhorn Bros., 
general merchants, and he was engaged in trade 
until 1885, spending in the meantime one 3'ear in 
Kansas. He became interested in the insurance 
business in 1885, as the agent of some of the best 
companies in the East. 

The year 1864 marked a very interesting epoch 
in the life of our subject, namely, his marriage with 
Miss Mary J. Shellhorn, which was celebrated at 
the home of the bride in Richardson Count}'. 
They are now the parents of nine children, namely : 
Charles R., Edward J., Lizzie P., William A., 
Mamie M., Eva A., J. Guy, Bessie I. and Hallie. 
Mr. Davenport, politically, votes the straight Re- 
publican ticket, and socially, belongs to Lodge No. 
It, I. O. 0. F., also the Encampment of the same 
order, the Modern Woodmen and the G. A. R. 

The outbreak of the Civil War found our subject 
one of those most ready to respond to the call for 
troops, he becoming in 1862 a member of Company 
G, 2d Nebraska Cavalry, the duty of which con- 

-4* 



sisted in guarding the frontier from the depreda- 
tions of the Indians. He fought the savages at 
White Stone Hill, near Devil's Lake and other 
places, and his brother Charles, who was a member 
of the same regiment, was shot by an Indian. Mr. 
D. served throughout his full time, and received 
his honorable discharge in 1864. 



r OSEPH B. BROOKS, Clerk of the District 
Court, and having his headquarters in Paw- 
nee City, impresses the average citizen as a 
lsg» man of more than ordinary ability, and one 
who lakes pride in the conscientious performance 
of his duties. His native State is Ohio, and he was 
born in Highland County, near the town of Hills- 
boro, the county seat, June 1, 1841. Of the six 
children comprising the family of his parents only 
two are now living, his sister being a resident of 
Fayette County, Ohio. 

Ansel and Ann (Smith) Brooks were natives 
respectively of Vermont and North Carolina. The 
maternal grandfather of our subject was Moses 
Smith, who settled in the Scioto Valley while the 
Indians still lingered in that region. Ansel Brooks 
was born in 1816, in Vermont, and his wife, Ann, 
in 1814. The former officiated as a minister of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1838 to 
1881. He is still living, and a resident of Good 
Hope, Fayette Co., Ohio. The mother is deceased. 

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood in 
Highland and Ross Counties, Ohio, attending first 
the district school and then becoming a student of 
South Salem Academy, where he attended about 
one year. Later he occupied himself as a teacher 
for several winters following. He turned his steps 
westward in 1870, and sojourned for a time at 
Marshalltown, Iowa, in the employ of the Iowa 
Central Railroad Company, in the construction of 
their telegraph line from Albia to Northwood. In 
1872 he migrated to Iola, Kan., and was engaged 
some time at the drug business. Later we find him 
in Troy, Kan., and in 1880 he came to Nebraska, 
and entered the employ of J. M. Spates, of Pawnee 
City, as clerk in a drug-store. 

During these years Mr. Brooks had made the 




-. 



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V\ts\u«.wce <st .\i4\\\\ s>\k\X..^qq-v, ^>ec, t b'X-."Wv\ss\Q^xCx exV^x eo.vo.sA. 






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*► \ f < * 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



513 



most of his time and opportunities, and had at- 
tracted the attention of his fellow-citizens by his 
faithful application to business. In 1887 he was 
elected Clerk of the District Court, and assumed 
the duties of his office January 17 following. 
While a resident of lola, Kan., our subject was 
united in marriage with Miss Maggie M. Brisbin, 
who was born in Ohio, and who died in 1880, 
leaving one son, Earl B. Mr. Brooks contracted a 
second marriage, in 1885, with Miss Ora E., 
daughter of John E. Himiller, of Greenfield, Ohio. 
Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and socially, 
belongs to Pawnee Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., 
also to Interior Lodge No. 0, I. O. 0. F. During 
the Civil War he enlisted under the call for the 
first 75,000 troops, serving his term and receiving 
li is honorable discharge; he then re-enlisted in the 
three years' service, in Company C, 73d Ohio In- 
fantry. His regiment was sent to West Virginia 
and they fought with the Army of the Potomac 
under Gen. Sigel, taking part in the battle of Bull 
Run. Mr. Brooks was afterward at Gettysburg, 
and thence, transferred to Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Afterward he accompanied Sherman in his south- 
eastern campaign, then up through the Carolinas 
to Washington, there taking part in the grand 
review. Thence he was sent to Louisville, Ky., 
where he was mustered out and soon afterward re- 
turned home. His army record is creditable in the 
extreme, and during that time he enjoyed the respect 
of his comrades and the approval of his superior 
officers. 

1 »^»a>- 

« BsILLIAM E. ROOT, a wealthy and intluen- 

f arming community of 

has met with more 
than average success in his agricultural ventures, 
and owns a farm which, in point of improvement 
and productiveness, is classed among the verj besl 

estates in Pawnee County. It comprises 160 acres 
on section 32 in his home farm, and eighty acres 
over the Mate line in Kansas, admirably adapted to 
mixed husbandry, and our subject lias devoted 
considerable time to raising stock, and has a tine. 
well-kept herd of Short-horns, eight head of horses 
of Mood strain, and a number of high-grade hogs. 



31 WILLIAM E. ROOT, a wet 
\/sJr l ' a ' mem ' :) er of the farmi 
W$ .Mission Creek Precinct, 



When he came to .Mission Creek, in the spring of 
1880, he purchased his present homestead, then 
consisting of 1 GO acres of partly improved laud. 1 1\ 
persistent and well-directed labor he has since 
wrought a great change; has fenced his land in 
hedge and wire; has planted six acres of groves; 
and an orchard of 10(1 choice fruit trees; has 
erected a commodious dwelling and good barns, one 
of them, 30x50 feet, the largest in the precinct ; 
has large corn cribs, granary, windmill, tanks. 
etc., and has an ample supply of the most approved 
farm machinery. He has been very extensively 
engaged in agriculture, and at one time owned 640 
acres of land, but he has deeded all but 1(50 acres 
of his Nebraska estate to his boys, retaining also 
the eighty acres of land in Kansas. 

Our subject is a lineal descendant of a fine old 
New England family fiat originated in England, 
three brothers of the name coming to this country 
from their ancestral English home in Puritan (bus, 
and casting in their lot with the colonists on Amer- 
ican soil. The paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject was born in Connecticut, and at some period 
of his life became an early settler of Buffalo, X. Y. 
He was there during the War of 1 s 1 2. and his 
property was destroyed by lire. He died in 1816. 
His son Jesse, the father of our subject, was born 
in Connecticut, lie moved to Buffalo, N. Y., in 
1811, and during the War of 1812 enlisted, when 
but eighteen years of age. in the Quartermaster's 
department, and was engaged in carrying dis- 
patches, etc. Mr. Root after his retirement from 
the army at the close of the war returned to He- 
bron, Conn., with an ox-team, and then went back 
to New York and worked for awhile in the town of 
Geddes. In March, 1815, he moved to the wilder- 
ness in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and purchasing a 
tract of Government land, cleared forty acres of it 
and engaged in farming and stock-raising there a 
Dumber of years. In 1 822 he was married in that 
State to Miss Sally A. Scofield, a native of New 
York City. Her father. Benjamin Scofield. was a 
carpenter by trade, and a resident of New York 
City. Later in life he became a pioneer of Ohio, 

settling near Cleveland, and there he died in Is Is, 
at the age of sixty-three years. In 1832, after a 
happy wedded life of ten years. Mr. 1 toot had the 




i 514 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4 



misfortune to lose his wife, who had been a faith- 
ful helpmate and a loving mother to their children, 
of whom they had seven, as follows: Louisa. Cla- 
rinda, Caroline. Andrew J., all deceased; William, 
Sally A. and Julia A. (twins), still surviving. In 
1874 Mr. Root moved from his pioneer home to 
Fayette, Ohio, and there lived in retirement until 
his death the following year, on the 14th day of 
January. He was a man of unblemished honor, 
tender feeling, and of more than average vigor of 
mind, and left to his children and grandchildren 
the precious legacy of a good life. He was a sin- 
cere Christian, and a member of the Baptist 
Church. No one ever appealed to him in 
vain for help or sympathy, and as an earnest 
Abolitionist he was especially active in behalf of 
the slave, and his house was a station for the "under- 
ground railway." 

The subject of this sketch was born near Strongs- 
ville, Ohio, May 30, 1825. He there grew to man's 
estate on his father's farm, receiving in the mean- 
time very good school advantages. In 1845 he 
went to Peoria, III., by way of Chicago, and there 
worked by the month at farming, and also engaged 
in teaching. He subsequently took up his residence 
in Henry County, the same State, buying Govern- 
ment land near Cambridge, and improved it. In the 
years following he developed one of the finest farms 
in that part of the country, and carried on farming 
and stock-raising there until 1879. He then wound 
up his affairs in that State, having decided to seek a 
home on the fertile soil and under the sunny skies 
of Nebraska, and in October of that year removed 
with a team to Pawnee City. He wintered on West 
Branch Creek, and in March, 1880, came to his 
present place of residence, as before mentioned. 

October 1, 1854, in the town of Prinoeville, Peoria 
Co., 111., the marriage of our subject to Miss 
Delilah J. Slane was celebrated. Mrs. Root was the 
second white child born in Ft. Clark, Peoria Co., 
111., her birth occurring March 26,1832. She is 
derived from an excellent family, and her parents. 
Benjamin and Delilah (Chisier) Slane, were natives 
of Hampshire County, Va.. her father born April 
22. 1 7!t0. and her mother Feb. 12, 1800. Her pa- 
ternal grandfather, a native of Ireland, settled in 
Virginia some time during the last century, and 



was a prosperous planter there for many years, 
owning a large plantation, and there he spent his 
last days. Her maternal grandfather was also a 
Virginia planter. Mrs. Root's parents were reared 
and married in Virginia, their union taking place 
in 1824. Her father was a tanner by trade, and 
subsequent to his marriage he moved to Ohio, lo- 
cating near Zanesville. He was there but a short 
time, however, before he was attracted to the newer 
State of Illinois, and in November, 1831, arrived 
at Ft. Clark, and became one of the very first set- 
tlers in Peoria County. He bought a tract of wild 
land, and improved 160 acres into a good farm. 
He afterward moved to Princeville, in the same 
county, and was actively engaged in agricultural 
pursuits there for many years, his death occur- 
ring there April 29, 1875. His wife died many 
years before, the date of her death being June 25, 
1839. To them seven children had been born, 
namely: Benjamin F., John Z., Elizabeth A., Deli- 
lah J., Samuel S., James T., and a child who died 
in infancy. John took part in the late war as a mem- 
ber of the 86th Illinois Infantry, Company K. was 
mustered in at Peoria in 1862. and served until after 
the close of the Rebellion. Mr. Slane was a prom- 
inent citizen of Peoria County, and took an active 
part in the administration of local affairs, serving 
as Supervisor of his township, and for twenty-five 
years held the oftice of Justice of the Peace. He 
was a strong Democrat in in his political views. 

The subject of this sketch is a high-minded, 
whole-souled man, who has ever shown a progress- 
ive and liberal spirit. He is always genial and 
helpful toward others, and is true in all the re- 
lations of life, as husband, father, neighbor and 
citizen. Politically, he was in carl3- life an Abo- 
litionist, then united with the Republicans, but 
now takes his stand with the people's ticket, and 
has represented his party in county conventions. 
He does not aspire to office. He has served on 
both the Grand and Petit Juries. He united with 
the I. O. O. F. at Princeville, 111. Religiously, he 
is a free-thinker, and holds advanced views con- 
cerning the duties of life and of immortality. Mis. 
Root is a firm believer in the I'niversalist faith. 
She is a woman of a cheery, warm-hearted dispo- 
sition, whose pleasant ways have attracted to her 



^1-* 




PAWNEE COUNTY. 



515 •' 



many firm friends. She is very intelligent and 
well informed, and a good conversationalist. Mr. 

and Mrs. Boot have one of the most attractive and 
cozy homes in Mission Creek, and there they dis- 
pense a charming hospitality to the friend or 
stranger who happens beneath its roof. The fol- 
lowing is recorded of the live children who have 
been born to them: Albert O. is married and farm- 
ing in Marshall County. Kan.; Caroline J. is de- 
ceased; Waldo J. is engaged in the hay business in 
Fall> City; John S. is farming in Kansas, and 
Charley Grant is deceased. The fine home of Mr. 
Root is shown in an excellent view on another 
page of this volume. 



at 



ylLLIAM McCLlNTOCK. One of the most 
beautiful farms in Pawnee Precinct be- 
longs to the subject of this sketch, who 
took up his abode in Nebraska in June, 1856. Of 
Irish birth and ancestiy, he was bom near the city 
of Londonderry, in County Donegal, March 16, 
1816, and was the fourth in a family of seven chil- 
dren, consisting of four sons and three daughters. 
Of these four are still living. The father, Samuel 
McClintock, carried on farming considerably, and 
was a manufacturer of linen. The mother, whose 
maiden name was Jane Rankin, was a native of the 
same locality as her husband, and both spent their 
entire lives upon their native soil. 

William McClintock was reared in County Done- 
gal, receiving a common-school education, and re- 
maining with his parents until reaching his nine- 
teenth year. He had from his boyhood been a 
youth thoughtful beyond his years, and determined 
to become a man among men. He saw little pros- 
pect of attaining a competence in his native Ire- 
land, and accordingly made up his mind to emigrate 
to America. With a limited amount of capital, he 
gathered together his few personal effects, and bid- 
ding adieu to the friends of his childhood, em- 
barked on a sailing-vessel at Londonderry, and 
landed in the city of Philadelphia nine weeks later. 

In the Quaker City our subject occupied himself 
at farming a number of years, and was then seized 



with a fit of homesickness which induced him to re- 
cross the Atlantic and spend a year among his 
friends. At the expiration of this time he came 
back to the United States, taking up his residence 
in the city of Baltimore. Later he started out for 
the West, and settled in Knox Count}', III., where 
he occupied himself at farming. In due time he 
met his fate in the person of Mrs. Sarah Griffee, a 
native of Kentucky, anil they were married Sept. 
30, 1852. Mrs. McClintock had accompanied her 
parents to Illinois when a girl eight years of age. 
The latter were Reuben and Libby (Atkins) Bandy, 
who spent their last days in Illinois. 

Mr. and Mrs. McClintock after their marriage 
moved across the Mississippi into Des Moines 
County, Iowa, and lived there eighteen months on 
a farm. They then decided to push farther west- 
ward, and in June, 1856, came to this county, set- 
tling on their present farm on Taylor Branch. It 
then bore little resemblance to its present state, be- 
ing a wild, uncultivated tract upon which there had 
been no attempt at improvement. Mr. McClintock 
first purchased 160 acres, then homesteaded the 
quarter-section adjoining. Their first dwelling was 
a log cabin 14x16 feet in dimensions, in which 
they spent twenty years. Our subject operated in 
the same manner by which his brother pioneers 
built up their homesteads, enduring many difficul- 
ties and hardships, but in due time found himself 
upon solid ground, and in the enjoyment of a com- 
fortable income. He brought his land to a good 
state of cultivation, and finally turned his attention 
more exclusively to stock-raising, making a spe- 
cialty of high-grade Poland-China swine, which in- 
dustry has been the source of a handsome income 
to him. 

Seven children came to the fireside of our subject 
and his excellent wife, the eldest of whom, Mary J., 
is now the wife of Frank Monegan.of Kansas; Alex- 
ander is married; Wmlield S. is living at home; 
Anna is the wife of Frank Barnett, of Iowa; Lena 
married William Benington, of Sherman County, 
Kan.; Alice died when very young, and Samuel 
died at the age of nineteen years. Mr. McC. as- 
sisted in the organization of the county, when it 
took all of the voting citizens to till the offices. He 
has always maintained a warm interest in the pros- 
♦► 



r 



•*-!*=«= 



516 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



perity of his adopted county, encouraging by his 
influence .and more substantial means the various 
projects set on foot for its advancement. 

Both Mr. McClintock and his estimable wife are 
member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, 
and attend services at Pawnee City. He was for- 
merly identified with the Republican party, but now 
votes independently, aiming to support the men 
whom he considers best qualified to serve the inter- 
ests of the people. For a man who arrived in Ne- 
braska with a capital of $1.50 it must be admitted 
that he has come out of the conflict with flyiug 
colors. Mrs. McClintock was first married to. Terett 
Griffee. The fine residence of Mr. McClintock is 
shown on another page in this Album. 



4 



ON. CHAUNCEY H. NORRIS, a promi- 
nent merchant of Pawnee County, occupies a 
leading position among the influential and 
g) honored citizens of Table Rock, where he 
is engaged in the mercantile business, being an ex- 
tensive dealer in dry-goods, groceries and general 
merchandise. He is also the possessor of a fine 
farm of 410 acres in Sheridan Precinct, 250 acres 
of it lying on section 5, and the other 1G0 acres of 
it lying on the northwest part of section 4, using 
the whole of it principally for pasturage and graz- 
ing, and on the place keeping about 100 head of 
cattle. 

Our subject was born in Canton, 111., Jan. 17, 
1836. His father, Timothy Norris, was born Ln 
New Hampshire, in April, 1806. He grew up 
among the rugged rocks and hills of the Granite 
State, living there until eighteen years of age, when, 
having a strong desire to see more of the world, he 
went to New York City, and there learned the 
trade of a stone-cutter. In 1833, at the time of 
the cholera epidemic in New York, Mr. Norris 
visited Ohio, staying there a few months. Then, 
after spending the following year in New York 
City, he left it permanently, in the year 1835, again 
going to Ohio, thence proceeding the same year to 
Illinois, where he settled and spent the remainder 
of his life, dying in 1852. The maiden name of 
his wife, to whom he was married in Ohio, was 



Emetine Turney, who survived him and came to 
Nebraska, dying here in 1882. She was a most 
estimable woman, and a valued member of the 
Episcopal Church during the last years of her life, 
though formerly a Congregationalist. To her and 
her husband were born seven children, four of 
whom are still living. 

Chauncey H. Norris, of whom we write, was 
educated in the public schools of his native town, 
receiving good instruction in the branches taught. 
In 1858 he came to Nebraska, and for four months 
was engaged as a clerk in a store in Falls City, 
Richardson County, and then went back to his 
native State. Not being quite satisfied with his 
chances in Illinois, Mr. Norris came here again in 
1859, and, bringing with him a stock of merchan- 
dise from St. Louis, opened a store in Table Rock, 
the first permanent one of the kind in the county, 
although two others had been operated for a short 
time prior to his coming. There were but few settlers 
here, and the trade not being sufficient to sustain 
the store, our subject removed to Falls City, where 
he remained until 1862, engaged in the same busi- 
ness. In November of that year he sold out his 
stock of goods, and enlisted in the 2d Nebraska 
Cavalry, to assist in protecting the frontier against 
the ravages of the Indians, being mustered in as 
First Lieutenant of Company G. His regiment, 
under command of Gen. Alfred Sulley, served prin- 
cipally along the Missouri and in Dakota, having been 
sent to that Territory for the purpose of punishing 
the Sioux Indians. Lieut. Norris was in a severe 
engagement in the White Stone Hills. Sept. 3, 
1863, man}' being killed and wounded in that 
battle. In October the regiment was ordered to 
Omaha, where, his term of enlistment having ex- 
pired, our subject was honorably discharged, De- 
cember 14 of that year. He next engaged in 
liuying and shipping stock, but not finding that 
sufficiently remunerative, in 1865. he bought a one- 
half interest in his old stock of goods, and con- 
tinued in business, in partnership with D. R. Holt, 
until February, 1866, when a severe fire visited the 
town, and their store was burned. Mr. Norris 
subsequently procured the appointment of United 
States Agent for the Sac and Fox Indians of Iowa, 
with headquarters at the Great Nemaha agency 



^L: 



■*•• 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



5i ; 



f 



serving acceptably as such until June, 1869, when 

the Quaker polio} - went into effect and his services 
were no longer needed. Our subject again entered 
the mercantile trade in Table Rock, opening a 
general store in the latter part of 1869, the only 
one here for three or four years, and has sinee car- 
ried on a nourishing trade, his establishment being 
the most extensive store of general merchandise in 
the town. He is a popular merchant, ever cour- 
teous and attentive to his customers, having the 
reputation of being honest and square dealing in all 
business transactions, and is highly esteemed for 
his manly and sterling character. In 1809 Mr. 
Norris was appointed Postmaster for Table Rock, 
the office then paying only $7 a quarter, and he re- 
tained it until the salary had increased to $65 a 
quarter. To his sagacity, enterprise and fore- 
thought much of the town's progress and present 
prosperity are due, he having been prominent in for- 
warding all schemes for its advancement, either so- 
cial, industrial or educational. He was one of the 
original stockholders of the Table Roek Creamery, 
selling his shares only recently. 

Mr. Norris rendered efficient aid in elevating the 
standard of the schools of the precinct, during his 
faithful service of nine years on the School Board, 
from which he retired at his own desire, refusing re- 
election. It was largely through the instrumentality 
of our subject that the Atchison A- Nebraska Railway 
passes through here, he having assisted in procuring 
the right of way thn nigh Pawnee County. He has not 
only served with acceptance to all in local offices, but 
has also served with credit in State affairs. In 1884 
he was elected to the State Senate, and while there 
formed one on the following committees: On Im- 
migration, Public Printing, Accounts and Expendi- 
tures, and on Miscellaneous Corporations, having 
been Chairman of the latter. He also introduced a 
bill into the Senate to allow the submission of the 
prohibition question. In 188C Mr. Norris was 
elected to the State Legislature, and also served 
there with distinction. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Fannie 
C. Giddings, of Table Rock, was celebrated March 
1, 18G0. Mrs. Norris is a native of New York, 
born in the town of Greene. Her father, Charles 
W. Giddings, was born in Connecticut, and mar- 



ried Miss Clarissa Grilling, of Owego, N. Y., by 
whom he had seven children, four of whom are yet 
living. Mr. and Mrs. Giddings remained in New 
York State some years after their marriage, and 
then moved to Pennsylvania, and thence came to 
this State in April, 1858. Mr. Giddings was one 
of the original settlers of Table Rock, and gave 
the town its name from a rock of peculiar forma- 
tion which is located on the farm of Joel Harrison. 
lie engaged in farming until his death, in Decem- 
ber, 1879. II is estimable wife survived him but a 
few months, dying in October, 1880. The union 
of our subject and his wife has been blessed to 
them by the birth of ten children, eight of whom 
are still living, namely: Charles, Clara, Sue, Frank, 
Royal, Horace L., Clinton C. and Lydia G. Clara 
married Will L. Seisin, of Omaha, and they have 
one child, Alwin. Sue married E. C. Phillips, of 
this place, and they have two children, Charles and 
Fanny. 

— 't@m- — 



If 



1/ EMUEL D. JORDAN. No man can justly 
blame the pioneer for reverting to his early 
life on the frontier and especially its after 
results with a feeling of pride and satisfaction. Too 
much credit cannot be given to those who perse- 
vered amid the difficulties which beset them during 
the first settlement of Nebraska, and none but those 
experiencing them can fully realize how great were 
the discouragements which were encountered by 
the first pilgrims to this region. Many of them came 
alone with their little family to a wild and unin- 
habited region while Indians still lingered around, 
bent upon mischief, and regarding the white in- 
vaders with no friendly eye. It seems to us that there 
can be no more worthy object than that which seeks 
to perpetuate the record of the lives of those men 
who, by their courage and perseverance, laid the 
foundation stone of Nebraska's prosperity. 

The subject of this sketch stands as a living wit- 
ness of the life of the early pioneer of the Far West, 
having come here as early as 1855. Before pro- 
ceeding further with his history it may be proper 
to state that he is a scion of one of the first families 
seeking American shores, his paternal great-grand- 
father having crossed the Atlantic on the "May- 



Hr 



t 



► fl «• 



<k 



" >» B «« 



518 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



\ 



flower" in 1020. He located in Maine, where he was 
represented subsequently by several generations. 
To his son Ebenezer there was born Lemuel D., Sr., 
the father of our subject, and to him Lemuel, Jr., the 
latter born in 1832. Our subject was reared among 
the hills of his native State. He had been deprived 
of a father's care when a mere babe and lived with 
his mother until a 3*011 th of nineteen years. Then 
leaving home he migrated to Lowell, Mass., in the 
spring of 1851, and for three months thereafter was 
employed in a cotton factory. We next find him 
in Buffalo, N. Y., where he made but a brief so- 
journ, then crossed Lake Erie to Toledo, Ohio, 
proceeded from there to Sturgis, Mich., and thence 
I13* stage to White Pigeon, Mich., where lie entered 
the employ of the Michigan Southern Railroad 
Company, who were engaged in extending their 
line to Chicago and Rock Island. 

Young Jordan was thus occupied three years, 
then crossing the Mississippi proceeded to Linn 
County, Iowa, where he had relatives. He and his 
cousin, Abner A. Jordan, finally concluded to cross 
the plains, and accordingly purchased three yoke of 
oxen, loaded a wagon with provisions and some 
tools, crossed the Missouri River on a flatboat, and 
thence proceeded up the Nemaha to his present lo- 
cation in Clay Precinct, arriving here in JUI3', 
1855, after a journey of two months. Each took 
up a "sqirttter's" claim of 160 acres, adjoining, and 
after the survey was made they pre-empted their 
land, put up a log house, and made themselves as 
comfortable as their circumstances would permit. 
The cracks in their dwelling were stopped witli clay 
and sticks ; the floor, roof and door were made of 
puncheon, and light was admitted through an 8x10 
pane of glass which they placed in the door. The 
structure was essentially home made, even to the 
hinges and wooden latch. 

In this rude dwelling the cousins kept bachelor's 
hall a number of years, when Abner A. was married, 
and our subject lived with the young couple until 
he, too, found a wife and helpmate. Tin's most im- 
portant event in his life was celebrated Feb. 25, 
1869, the maiden of his choice being Miss Florence 
Walbridge. Our subject had in the meantime put 
up for himself a hewed log house, and in this lie 
was married. The nuptials were unaccompanied 



1)3* the style and outlay of the present day, but it is 
possible that the pair were quite as happy and con- 
tented as the people of this later generation who 
often begin life beyond their means, and so con- 
tinue until misfortune overtakes them and "their 
last da3*s are worse than the first." 

Mr. Jordan had taken up another claim of 160 
acres near his first, and lived there about seven 
years. He then returned to the old farm, where in 
1882 he put up a commodious frame dwelling which 
he now occupies with his family, surrounded by all 
the comforts of life. He has added to his real es 
tate until he is the owner of 480 broad acres, upon 
which he has over eight miles of all kinds of fenc- 
ing. After bringing his land to a good state of 
cultivation he turned his attention largely to stock- 
raising, and usually keeps a herd of 100 Short-horn 
cattle, together with from twent3* to twenty-five 
head of horses of the Black Hawk, Morgan and 
Norman stock. Both in horses and cattle he ex- 
hibits as fine animals as are to be found in this 
county. He is regarded as a first-class farmer, and 
has been remarkably fortunate in his investments. 

The first tax our subject paid in Pawnee County 
amounted to $3.70; his last was $130.80. This fact 
is sufficiently indicative of the manner in which his 
property has increased in value. His accumulations 
are the result of his own industry and good judg- 
ment, and his early life, though seeming hard at the 
time, was probably one of the best schools in which 
he could have been drilled, forming within him a 
character strong and self-reliant and admirably 
adapted to cope with the circumstances of his after 
life. The man who has earned his property dollar 
by dollar usually knows how to take care of it. 

Mr. Jordan cast his first Presidential vote for 
Grant. He is an earnest Republican politically, but 
has no time to spend as an office-seeker, having all 
he can possibly do to look after his individual af- 
fairs. He is nevertheless public-spirited and lib- 
eral, and uniformly gives his encouragement and 
more substantial support to the various enterprises 
having for their object the progress and advance- 
ment of his county. 

The parents of Mrs. Jordan were John and Jane 
(Malory) Walbridge, natives respectively of Ver- 
mont and Connecticut. After marriage they re- 






V 



-=7* 



•►Hl^^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



oil) 



4- 



moved to Pennsylvania, settling in Erie County, 
where Mrs. .1. was born May 12, 1844, and where 
the parents spent their last days. There came to 
the hearthstone of Mr. and Mrs. Jordan nine chil- 
dren, who were named respectively: Pbila M., 
Mina 1)., Ruth C, Sadie F., Bessie E., Lemuel D., 
Clem C, Clayton T. and Hay W, Phila died at the 
earl}' age of sixteen years. She was a promising 
child, and in their bereavement the parents had the 
warm sympathy of all who knew them. 



..o*o>@^A,<A^)..o*o.. 



f7 UTHER L. DAVIS, a w 
I (i7)) and stock-raiser of Pa\ 

I*— ^ classed among the most 



well-known farmer 
awnee Count}', is 
i ' — "» classed among me most wide-awake and 
successful agriculturists of Table Rock Precinct, 
and 1 i is well-tilled and well-stocked farm on sec- 
tion 30, township 3, range 12, is considered one of 
the best managed and most profitable estates in this 
vicinity. 

Mr. Davis was born in Harrison County. Va., 
May 5. 1831. His father. Uriah Davis, was a na- 
tive of t lie same State, and there married Vienna 
Davis, who, though bearing the same family name, 
was, however, no relation. To them came thirteen 
children, of whom nine lived to maturity. Atsome 
period of their married life, when our subject was 
quite young, they left their old home in Virginia and 
took up their abode in Ohio, living first in Union 
County, moving thence to Clarke County, from 
there to Jackson Township, Shelby County, and 
finally moving out of the State altogether. We 
next hear Of them in Peoria County. 111., they hav- 
ing settled near Farmington, and one year later they 
went to Chillicothe, in the same county. In 1854 they 
crossed the Mississippi River, and the father of 
Our subject bought forty acres in Clinton County. 
Iowa. After improving a good farm there, in 1865 
Mr. Davis again took up the march westward, and 
coming to Nebraska with our subject took up land 
for himself, and made his home here the rest of his 
days, dying in 1870. He was a member of the 
Baptist Church, was a sincere Christian, and left 
the precious legacy of an honest name to his chil- 
dren. His good wife, who was held in equal es- 
teem with himself, died in Iowa in 188G. .lames and 



Betsy Davis, the paternal grandparents of our sub- 
ject, were natives of Wales, and comingto America 
after marriage, Settled in Virginia. They subse- 
quently accompanied their children to Ohio, and 
died in Jackson Township. They reared a large 
family. 

Luther Davis, of this biographical notice, was 
very young when his parents took him from his 
early home in the Old Dominion to Ohio, and he 
was but fourteen years old when he accompanied 
them to Illinois. lie was of age when the family 
went to Iowa, and he industriously worked out and 
earned money, which he loaned to his father to 
build up his home, and afterward generously gave 
it to him as a permanent gift, and with characteristic 
energy began anew to accumulate money to provide 
himself with the means to build up a home of his 
own. Sept. 28, 1854, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Purmilla Davis. Nine children have been 
born to them, of whom five are still living, and fol- 
lowing is the record of their births: Lovey, born 
.Ian. 7, 1856; Uriah F., Feb. 18, 1861; Frank, May 
24, 1863; Eleazor C, June 12, 18G6; Reuben J., 
Feb. 28, 1870. Lovey married William Higgen- 
bottom; they live in Oregon, and have two chil- 
dren. Frank married Jennie, daughter of Silas 
Hayes. Uriah married Ella Van Horn; they have 
one child. The other children are living with their 
parents. 

Mrs. Davis was born in Champaign County, 
Ohio, Nov. 2.">. 183"), and lived in Ohio until 1853, 
when she moved to Iowa with her parents. Mrs. 
Davis' grandfather, John Davis, was born in Wales, 
May 1, 1754, and migrating to this country, he set- 
tled in Virginia, where he followed his trade of 
carpenter, lie was a Captain in the Revolutionary 
War, and did gallant service in behalf of his 
adopted country, lie died Jan. 22. 1812. at an ad- 
vanced age. His son John. Mrs. Davis' father. 
was born in Virginia, July 24, 171*3. ami he mar- 
ried in his native State Miss Purmilla Maxon. who 
was born Jan. 20, 1803; their marriage occurred 
Oct. 20, 1818. They became the parents of twelve 
children. The father was a man of versatile 
genius, being at once a doctor' of considerable 
skill, a practical farmer, an ordained minister in 
the Baptist Church of much note, and a good 




520 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



»» II «■ 



cabinet-maker. He spent many years in Ohio, and 
thence moved to Clinton County, Iowa, ami twenty- 
one years later to Coffey County, Ky. After that 
he came here and staid with his daughter for a 
time, and then went to Atchison County. Kan., and 
took up some land there and improved it. After 
the death of his wife in that county, June 16. 1879. 
at the age of seventy-four years, seven months and 
twenty-one days, he returned to the home of our 
subject, where his death occurred April 15. 1880, 
at the age of eighty-two years, eighl months and 
twenty-two days. His family and that of our sub- 
ject were in nowise connected although bearing 
the same surname. Both families have borne honor- 
able reputations and have been well thought of 

since the earliest record of them. 

Mr. Davis may be denominated a pioneer of 
Nebraska, as he was an early settler of this part of 
the State. He came here in the spring of 18(15, and 
took up some Government land under the provis- 
ion of the Homestead Act, in the western part of 
Richardson Comity, one mile southeast of his pres- 
ent farm. On that land he turned the first furrow, 
and set the first trees. lie also put out a good 
orchard, hedged and fenced his land, and made all 
the usual improvements for increasing the value of 
a good farm, including, in 1807, a fine frame house, 
20x20 feet, and one and one-half stories in height, 
neat and well painted, and at that time the best 
house in the county; it is still standing. He at 
first paid exclusive attention to raising grain, and 
then went into the stock business, selling in the 
home market. While living on that place he helped 
to organize the school district, was its first Modera- 
tor, and was one of the very few who stood the ex- 
pense of putting up a good frame building for a 
school-house, which is still standing. He hired the 
first teacher who taught in that district. Our sub- 
ject helped Mr. Ben jamin Clement to build the first 
bridge over the Big Muddy at Hughes, draw- 
ing the timber for it from John Shook's mill, 
on the Missouri River at Hillsdale, doing his share 
of the work in putting the bridge together. He 
also helped to breakthrough the first roads in that 
part of the district. When he first settled on that 
farm Indians were in the neighborhood, and were 
frequent callers on him when he was at work on 



his place. While plowing his land antelopes and deer 
came near him and showed no sign of fear. In 1870 
Mr. Davis disposed of his property in Richardson 
County, and crossing the line into this county, 
purchased his present farm, which was then school 
land. He at once erected a good dwelling, which 
still stands, and a fine barn, GOx.'iO feet, that was 
burned in 1885. He set out the first trees here, 
and planted all but twelve acres of his forest ami 
orchard. He put a fence and hedge clear around, 
and also cross fenced it. His grounds are well sup- 
plied with shrubbery and evergreens, and he has n 
good bearing orchard. He has thus developed from 
the wild prairies by his persistent and well-directed 
labors a tine homestead, replete with all the neces- 
sary improvements. Mr. Davis is a man of de- 
cided force of character, believes in having the best 
of everything that money, industry and enterprise 
can procure, and as a result his farm is under a 
high state of cultivation, yielding him rich returns. 
His horses, of good and well-selected breeds, are 
animals of which the owner is proud; his cattle, 
high graded Durhams and Short-horns, have the 
best of care and compare well with other herds in 
the precinct, and his herd justly noted for its 
character, being of recorded stock, and one full- 
blooded, registered Durham, dropped in April. 
1886, and in December, 1888. tipped the scales at 
1,200 pounds, her mother being one of the finest 
cows in the country. His fat Poland-China hogs, 
of the best breed, always command a good market, 
and he has a fine line of breeders; four of full- 
blood he has sold to prominent fanners as heads of 
herds. 

Our subject is one of the leading members of the 
Baptist Church, and is highly spoken of by all as a 
man of unimpeachable integrity, who is honorable 
in all of his transactions. He is an ardent advocate 
of temperance, and for four years has been one of 
the foremost leaders of the Prohibition party in 
this county. He has been a delegate to many of the 
party conventions, among them the first State con- 
ventions held at Lincoln, also all following there and 
at Omaha, besides the county and district conven- 
tions, having been Chairman of the first conven- 
tions held in Pawnee County. During the late 
campaign he spent much of his time lecturing in 



-+z*h« 



«Jf+ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



521 , l 



Pawnee, Richardson, Johnson and Nemaha Coun- 
ties, often speaking to large audiences', and doing 

much good for the cause which lie has so much at 
heart, lie has, however, avoided nomination al- 
though such an active worker, lie is Central Com- 
mitteeman of this precinct. While on his lecturing 

tour he has borne a part of the expenses himself, 
thus devoting both time and money to the eleva- 
tion of his fellowmen. lie lias taken an interest in 
educational matters, and helped to organize the 
school district and to build the school-house. lie 
lias been Road Supervisor for four terms, and his 
fellow-citizens are greatly indebted to his energy 
ami efficiency for the good roads on which they 
travel, the highways having greatly improved 
under his care, and all are pleased at the amount of 
work done and the judicious expenditure of money. 
The home of our subject is the center of a true 
and bounteous hospitality, and both host and 
hostess delight in entertaining people, giving all 
who enter their doors a cordial welcome. Mr. 
Davis, besides being a genial and pleasant conver- 
sationalist, lias quite a musical talent, as have his 
family also, and he plays well on the horn, violin 
and organ, and can discourse sweet music on the 
most insignificant of instruments. 



■^^^^^ 



~t 



C«*p$>HOMAS II. SHANNON. The representa- 
i((((£S$\ fives and sons of the pioneer families stand 
Vgg^' next to the original tillers of the soil in point 
of importance. Among these in Nebraska is the 
subject of this memoir, who, like his father before 
him, carried on farming pursuits until 187'J, hut is 
now familiarly known to the people of Pawnee City 
as the proprietor of the Shannon House, one of 
the most popular and best-regulated hotels in the 
city. Mr. Shannon is what may be called a self- 
made man, being among the large number of those 
who started in this Western country with no capital 
but their stout muscle and courageous hearts. 

Before proceeding further it will perhaps be well 
to glance at the opening years of our subject, which 
were spent near the town of North Salem, in Hen- 
dricks County, Ind. In that town stood the modest 
dwelling of his parents, where his birth took place 

*• : 



Oct. 14, 1836. His father, Thomas R. Shannon, 
was born in West Virginia in 1803, and carried on 
farming his entire life. He married, in his native 
county, Miss Sarah, daughter of David Allen, who 
was a year older than himself, born in 1802. They 
lived in the Old Dominion for a time after their 
marriage, then, about the year 1833, migrated to 
Hendricks County, Ind., and settled on a tract of 
new land, where the father prosecuted farming un- 
til the fall of 1858. 

Indiana not effecting for Thomas R. Shannon as 
much as lie expected in point of worldly prosperity, 
he resolved to cross the Mississippi ami seek in a 
more Western country something which should 
prove of greater benefit to himself and family. 
Upon making his ad vent into this county he located 
on a tract of land in Pawnee Precinct, two miles 
west of the present site of Pawnee City, which 
was then marked only by a few rude structures 
called houses, and gave little indication of its 
future importance. The elder Shannon began with 
the help of his wife and elder children the improve- 
ment of 160 acres of land, and upon this he so- 
journed until his death, which occurred twelve j-ears 
later, in the spring of 1 870. The wife and mother, 
who had stood bravely by the side of her husband 
in his toils and struggles, only survived him about 
three years. Their family consisted of five sons: 
Samuel S., William A., Thomas H. (our subject), 
Milton A. and Greenville I). 

Young Shannon received a rather limited educa- 
tion in the district school, and left the parental roof 
when about twenty-two years old. He worked for a 
time in the employ of his father, and at an early date , 
thereafter felt that lie was equal to the task of tak- 
ing care of a wife and family. He was accordingly 
married, Jan. IS. 1865, to Miss Mary S. Griffith, of 
Pawnee Precinct, and the daughter of John Grif- 
fith, Esq., who had removed from Bucks County, 
Pa., to Nebraska about 1865. Mrs. Shannon was 
born in November, 1811, in that -county, and re- 
mained under the home roof until her marriage. 
Afterward our subject and his wife moved upon a 
farm in Pawnee Precinct, where Mr. Shannon prose- 
cuted agriculture and stock-raising quite success- 
fully. He first rented a tract of land, and later 
purchased a farm of 160 acres in Pawnee Precinct, 



r 



522 



pawnee county. 



h 



about one mile northwest of town. He effected 
many improvements, and remained upon it until 
1 879, when he abandoned the labors of farm life, and 
removing to Pawnee City secured a lot and put up 
a house. The latter was burned in 1881, and hav- 
ing no insurance was a total loss. There were at 
tli is time twenty-seven other buildings destroyed 
by fire. 

In the summer of 1885 our subject put up what 
is now known as the .Shannon House, and which 
occupies an area of 32x00 feet, and is a substantial 
brick structure two stories in height, situated at a 
convenient point south of the court-house square. 
It is one of the best $1 hotels in the county, and 
patronized by a large proportion of the traveling 
public through this region. 

Mr. and Mrs. Shannon are the parents of two sons, 
Henry A. and Joseph R., to whom they are giving 
the advantages of a first-class education, both being 
students in the University at Lincoln. They lost 
an infant daughter at the age of three months. 
Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln, and it is hardly necessary to state 
has since that time been an ardent supporter of 
Republican principles. His paternal grandfather, 
Samuel Shannon, was one of the earliest settlers of 
Hendricks County, Ind., and operated what was 
familiarly known by the pioneers as the '"Shannon 
House Mill." He spent his last years in Indiana. 




~t 



RS. MANIE HACHENBERG. There is 
no more attractive picture on the face of 
the earth than a well-regulated country 
homestead presided over by culture and 
intelligence, the sound sense that adapts itself to 
the supervision of the mechanical department, and 
the refined tastes capable of eliminating beauty 
from the resources always at hand. These ideas 
have been fully carried out in the homestead occu- 
pied by the lad}' whose name appears in connection 
with this sketch. It has been under her personal 
supervision since the decease of her honored hus- 
band, and right well has she discharged the trusts 
committed to her care. A lad}' of fine intelligence 
and thorough education, she is admirably adapted 

4 * 



to perpetuate the reputation of one of the most 
valuable and attractive estates in the county, and 
by her amiability of character has drawn around 
her hosts of friends. She followed the profession 
of a teacher during the years of her early woman- 
hood, and although the sober realities of life have 
for many 3 r ears claimed her attention she has never 
allowed herself to deteriorate or abandon her 
mental culture. 

Adjacent to the pleasant little town of Wood- 
stock, McHenry Co., 111., was the childhood home 
of Mrs Hachenberg, and where she first opened her 
eyes to the light May 15, 1841. She lived there 
with her parents until eleven years of age, and 
then they removed from the farm into the town, 
where she attended the common school. In 185G 
the family removed to Allamakee County, Iowa, 
where she at the age of nineteen years began her 
career as a teacher. 

In 1860, however, our subject desiring to per- 
fect her education more fully, returned to Wood- 
stock, 111., and pursued her studies in the seminary 
there for about two years. Afterward she taught 
two terms in that vicinity, then rejoined her par- 
ents in Iowa, and continued as a teacher until 
failing health obliged her to abandon it. She was 
veiy successful and popular among both parents 
and children, and always maintained a warm inter- 
est in the welfare of those committed to her care. 
After leaving the schoolroom she remained with 
her parents until her marriage with Mr. George W. 
Hachenberg, on the 13th of December, 1866. 

The parents of Mrs. Hachenberg were William 
and Cathren (Scott) Gilbert, who were both na- 
tives of Lenoxshire, Scotland, the father born 
Aug. 2, 1815, and the mother on the 2d of Febru- 
ary, 1809. The paternal grandfather was John Gil- 
bert, also of Scotch birth and ancestry, who spent 
his entire life upon his native soil engaged in farm- 
ing pursuits, and died at the age of sixty-eight 
years. The maternal grandfather was James Scott, 
also a farmer, who was born, reared and spent his 
life in the "land of the thistle." 

AVilliam Gilbert was educated in the common 
school, and when approaching manhood served an 
apprenticeship as a stonemason, and was married 
later in his native shire. He emigrated with his 




"if* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



523 



T 



family to America in 1839, locating near Wood- 
slock, in Mc Heury County, 111., where he purchased 
160 acres of land, from which he constructed a good 
farm. lie also worked at his trade in connection 
with agriculture, and continued on the farm until 
1856. In the meantime the wife and mother had 
been called to her long home, dying in 1848, at the 
age of forty-two years. 

After the death of his first wife Mr. Gilbert was 
married in 1849 to Miss Sarah L. Allen, who was 
horn in Portage County, Ohio, Nov. 16, 182(i, and 
removed with her parents to Illinois when a young 
girl of thirteen years. Upon leaving the farm Mr. 
Gilbert occupied himself at his trade in Woodstock 
until 1859. Then, with a desire to cross the Mis- 
sissippi, he disposed of his Illinois property, and 
wended his way to Allamakee County, Iowa, where 
he purchased 1G0 acres of timber land, upon which 
he made some improvements, then sold out and 
purchased an improved farm near Frank ville, same 
county. He sold this in 1884 and came to this 
county, but on account of failing health he returned 
to Iowa, and died at the home of Ids son near 
Erankvillc, on the 14th of August, that year. He 
bad been a man quite prominent in his community, 
serving a number of years as Justice of the Peace, 
and occupying other positions of trust. Politically, 
he was a stanch Republican, and in religious mat- 
ters, a devout Presbyterian. 

Of the first marriage of William Gilbert there 
were born six children, three of whom grew to ma- 
ture years. Of these all are living: Manic, Mrs. 
Hachenberg, Agnes and John, who are both resi- 
dents of Iowa. Catherine and two infants un- 
named are deceased. Of the second marriage 
there were three children: Ellen, in Iowa; Louis, 
in Dakota; and William, a resident of this State. 

Mr. George W. Hachenberg was bom in Dela- 
ware County, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1845. He became a 
resident of Iowa, where lie lived until the out- 
break of the Civil War. When but eighteen years 
old he enlisted in Company E, 9th Iowa Cavalry, 
being mustered into service at Waukon as a Cor- 
poral under Capt. Dean. They were first ordered 
to Little Rock, Ark., and soon met the enemy in 
open conflict. Mr. Hachenberg, in one of the first 
engagements, was wounded in the right hip and 



conveyed to the hospital. He refused to have the 
limb amputated, notwithstanding the matter was 
urged by the surgeons, and recovered sufficiently 
to rejoin his regiment, with which he served until 
the close of the war. He participated in eight 
pitched battles besides numerous skirmishes, and 
was proffered promotion repeatedly but invariably 
declined. He received his honorable discharge at 
Little Rock on the 3d of July. 1866, was mustered 
out at the same place, and returning to Iowa re- 
sumed farming, and continued a resident of the 
Hawkeye State until the spring of 1869. 

Mr. Hachenberg now resolved to change his resi- 
dence to Nebraska, and came overland with his 
family to this county, crossing the Missouri at 
Brownville. He purchased a tract of uncultivated 
land lying on Plum Creek, and lived in a dug-out 
the first summer, in the meantime hauling logs to 
Blue Springs to have them sawed in proper shape 
for the construction of a house. This first domi- 
cile was 13x17 feet square, and within it the family 
lived until 1879, when the present residence was 
erected. Five acres of the land had been broken, 
but aside from this there had been no attempt 
whatever at improvement, and there was not a 
stick of timber upon the whole tract. Mr. Hachen- 
berg labored industriously from that time forward, 
plowing, sowing and reaping, setting out forest 
and fruit trees, and bringing about the various im- 
provements naturally suggested to the mind of the 
practiced and skillful agriculturist. The land 
proved to be finely located, and well watered by a 
branch of Plum Creek. Mr. II. rested from his 
earthly labor- on the 19th of March, 1879. Of his 
union with our subject there had been born two 
children only, a son and a daughter — Katie L. and 
William G. Mr. Hachenberg. politically, was a 
stanch Republican, and officiated as Justice of the 
Peace a number of years. He also served on the 
Grand and Petit Juries, was a consistent member 
of the Presbyterian Church, being one of its most 
cheerful anil liberal contributors, and assisting 
materially in the construction of the church edifice. 
Socially, he belonged to the Masonic fraternity in 
Pawnee City. 

Mrs. Hachenberg since the death of her husband 
has proceeded with the improvements which he 



r 



-•*• 



I k 524 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



projected but did not live to carry out. Under 
her supervision the whole of the land has been 
brought to a state of cultivation, and many other 
improvements effected in its condition. She rents 
the land and receives therefrom a handsome income. 
It is largely devoted to stock-raising, the specialty 
being cattle and swine, and dairying is also carried 
on in a limited degree. 



ffi ACOB T. LAYMAN. This pioneer of 18G6 
when striking the soil of Nebraska Territory 
came directly to Sheridan Precinct, of which 
he has since been a continuous resident. He 
is now the owner of a good farm, comprising 120 
acres on section 19, which he purchased in March, 
1881. He first took up a homestead claim on sec- 
tion 22, township 2, range 12, upon which there 
had been no attempt at improvement, and upon 
which he turned the first furrow in 1869. After 
getting in his first crops he busied himself in setting 
out forest and fruit trees, also shrubbery, and in 
due time put up a good house and barn and the 
other structmes necessary for the convenience of 
the modern agriculturist. His neighbors were few 
and far between, there being only two houses any- 
where near him, and three more farther away. The 
Indians had but recently left this region, although 
the settlers were still in apprehension of their re- 
visiting it upon mischief intent. They suffered 
thereafter from grasshoppers, this insect appearing 
shortly after Mr. Layman had taken up his residence 
here. 

Mr. Layman disposed of his first property in 
1880, and upon his taking possession of that which 
he now occupies repeated the experiment of plant- 
ing trees and erecting buildings. He now has one 
of the finest farms in this region, lying about two 
miles east of Pawnee City, and amply supplied with 
all the conveniences and comforts of modern life. 
His career has been distinguished as that of a hard- 
working and industrious man, upright in his trans- 
actions, and one who stands well among his neigh- 
bors. 

A son of the Old Dominion, our subject was 
born Sept. 26, 1844, but two years later his parents 
-*• 



removed to the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., where 
they lived about five years. Thence they pushed 
on further westward to Adams County, 111., where 
the father carried on farming, and where Jacob T. 
received a practical education in the common 
schools. During the progress of the late war he en- 
listed as a Union soldier, Aug. 14, 1862, in Com- 
pany F, 118th Illinois Infantry, which was assigned 
to the Army of the Tennessee under command of 
Gen, Sherman. He met the enemy in battle at 
Arkansas Post, Haines' Bluff on the Yazoo River, 
was at Vicksburg two weeks, and subsequently 
fought at Jackson, Miss., besides engaging in vari- 
ous skirmishes with the rebels. He fortunately es- 
caped wounds and imprisonment, although once 
struck by a spent ball. He was mustered out July 
5, 1865, having been in the meantime transferred 
to the 5th Indiana Infantry, a veteran reserve which 
was assigned to duty as a guard of the prisoners at 
Indianapolis. 

After returning from the army Mr. Layman spent 
one year at school in Adams County, 111., then set 
out for the farther "West. He was a single man 
when coming to this county, but finally met his fate 
in the person of Miss Sarah Freeman, to whom he 
was married Nov. 19, 1870. This union resulted 
in the birth of five children, all living: Elmer, the 
eldest son, was born Feb. 23, 1872; Alva, Jan. 26, 
1875; Lulu, Aug. 0, 1879; Gilbert \V., May 12, 
1882, and William Roy, April 18, 1888. They are 
all at home with their parents, forming a bright and 
interesting group, which the latter look upon with 
pardonable pride. 

The wife of our subject was born in Armstrong 
County, Pa., Feb. 3, 1850, and lived there until a 
maiden of fifteen years. She then accompanied her 
parents to Table Rock Precinct, this county, in 
1865, where she lived until her marriage. Her 
father, Henry Freeman, was one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of Table Rock, and lived in a dug-out for a 
good many years. He possessed the qualities of 
industry and perseverance, however, and came out 
of the struggle with the elements of a new soil so 
that he is now the owner of a good property. A 
sketch of him will be found elsewhere in this work. 

Daniel Layman, the father of our subject, was 
born in Christian County, Pa., and married Miss 



^f-* 



-•*- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



525 



Lucinda Cavanaugh. Eive of the ten children, the 
offspring of this union, lived to mature years and 
are now surviving. The family removed first to 
Pennsylvania and then to Illinois, sojourning in the 
latter State until 1876; the mother died there in 
1852. Thence the father migrated to Texas, and 
from there to Table Rock Precinct, this county, 
where he still lives. He learned the trade of a tailor 
in his youth, which he followed, however, only 
a few years, then engaged in the more congenial 
pursuits of agriculture. His first wife, the mother 
of our subject, died in 1852, when Jacob T., our 
subject, was a little lad eight years of age. The 
father contracted a second marriage, this time with 
Miss Marj' Jane Ford. 

Mr. Layman cast his first Presidential vote for 
Mr. Lincoln, and is a stanch supporter of Repub- 
lican principles. He has occupied the various local 
offices, serving as Road Supervisor and Constable, 
but has no ambition for a public position, prefer- 
ring to give his attention to his farming interests. 
Both he and his excellent wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



\ 



4 



^|}) APT. SANFORD V. MOORE. The career 
f( of this prominent and well-to-do citizen of 

^S^r Pawnee Precinct is of that Glass regarded 
with unalloyed interest by every intelligent indi- 
vidual, for it presents a forcible illustration of the 
results of industry, economy and good manage- 
ment. From a modest beginning in life Mr. Moore 
has attained to a good position socially and finan- 
cially, chiefly signalizing himself as an agricultur- 
ist of more than ordinary success, and making a 
specialty of the breeding of Short-horn cattle. His 
operations are carried on at a line farm of 200 acres. 
pleasantly located on section 8, and forming oneof 
the most valuable tracts of land in this section of 
country. 

Capt. Moore, is of Southern birth, his native place 
ha vine- been in Oconee County. S. ('..and his natal 

day Oct. 10, 1832. His father, James O. M v. 

was also born in South Carolina, Feb. 7. 1810, in 
what was then known as the Pendleton District. 
lie learned the blacksmith trade when approaching 

«•— 



manhood, and followed it for many years. He spent 
the closing years of his life in this county. The 
mother was the daughter of James Sanders, also of 
South Carolina, and of Scotch-Irish descent. She 
was born in August, 1809, and the parental family 
included six children, two sons and four daughters, 
of whom our subject was the third in order of birth, 
and three of whom are still living. 

The Moore familj', about 1842, removed first to 
Georgia, and then to Tennessee. Sanford V. ac- 
quired a.limited education in the imperfect schools 
of that da}', attending probably not to exceed a pe- 
riod of three months in his whole life. He attained 
to manhood under the parental roof, assisting 
his father in the blacksmith-shop, and at the same 
time occupying himself considerably at farming. 
He worked at the forge more or less until twenty- 
nine 3'ears old. At the age of nineteen he was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah Gibson, daughter of Robert 
Gibson, of Tennessee, and in 1858 removed with 
his family to Webster County. Mo. 

Mr. Moore now opened up a blacksmith-shop at 
High Prairie, and worked at his trade until after 
the outbreak of the Civil War. In the meantime 
he served in the Home Guards, and in 1862 en- 
listed in Compan}- B, 8th Missouri Cavalry, under 
command of W. F. Geiger. They sojourned in 
Missouri until July, 1863, and were then sent South 
on the Little Hock campaign, taking part in many 

of the important battles which followed. Mr. M v 

distinguished himself as a brave and efficient sol- 
dier, and was four times promoted, finally reaching 
the rank of First. Lieutenant. He was soon trans- 
ferred to Company F, of which he took- command, 
and was afterward given a Captain's commission. 
He served thus until resigning, in February, 1865. 

Upon leaving the army Capt. Moore returned to 
Missouri, settling in Marshlield, and in June. 1865, 
came to this county and took up a homestead claim 
of 160 acres. He lived upon this, improving it 
until he secured a warrantee deed, and added grad- 
ually to his landed estate until he is now the owner 
of 360 broad acres. The farm residence and other 
buildings are substantially constructed and in good 
order, and in his live-stock operations Mr. Moore 
has shipped some of the best swine ever sent from 
Pawnee County. One carload comprised animals 



*r 



.► I I «- 



.•*- 



5'26 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



*f 



eleven months old, with an average weight of 309 
pounds, for which he received Philadelphia prices. 
The grasshopper plague, which proved such a detri- 
ment to this region, was a harvest for pigs, as they 
ate them ravenously and fattened upon them. 

Mrs. Sarah (Gibson) Moore, the first wife of our 
subject, became the mother of five children — Rob- 
ert, John, Jennie, Clara and Mary. His second wife 
was M iss Maggie, daughter of Williams Robinson. < >f 
Georgia, and of this union there were also born five 
children — Roy, Clay, Dee, Edna and Lamay. The 
mother of these died in 1882. Mr. Moore con- 
tracted a third marriage, with Mrs. Merica Nich- 
ols, in June, 1883. This lady was born in Georgia, 
in 1860, and is the daughter of E. C. and Malinda 
(< (shorn) Eoster. The father is living in Georgia, 
and the mother is deceased. 

< >ur subject during the Centennial at Philadel- 
phia, in 1876, was solicited to visit the exposition 
as a representative from this count}', but declined. 
In political matters he votes the Republican ticket, 
and socially, is a member of the G. A. R. He be- 
gan at the foot of the ladder in life, without means 
or other resources than his strong muscles and will- 
ing hands, and has made for himself an admirable 
record. 



(OBERT T. SCOTT. Next to a man's own 
individuality that of his ancestry is impor- 
(liiW, tant. He who can trace his lineage to Scot- 
^|§!land is always pardoned for a feeling of 
pride as having been an offshoot from the '-land of 
the thistle," whose sons are everywhere recognized 
as embodying all the principles of truth and hon- 
esty. The sturdy Scotch element has penetrated to 
almost every quarter of the glohe, and there per- 
haps have been fewer worthless and shiftless charac- 
ters among the representatives of this nationality 
than any other on the fate of the earth. 

The subject of this sketch, a well-to-do and 
highly respected farmer of Clay Precinct, like his 
forefathers, was born on Scottish soil, Jan. 17, 1840, 
in Roxburghshire, and emigrated to the United 
States with an uncle when a lad of thirteen years. 
He thereafter made his home with his uncle, Henry 
Scott, in Stark County, 111., until the outbreak of 



the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company B, 19th 
Illinois Infantry, and matching to the front was 
present at the battles of Stone River, Chicka- 
anga, Mission Ridge, and various minor engage- 
ments. He never missed a roll call, and was 
fortunately enabled to be at his post of duty without 
intermission until the expiration of his term of 
enlistment, in Jul}', 186-1. He then received his 
honorable discharge, and returning to Illinois so- 
journed there one year, and then crossed the Mis- 
sissippi in search of a location in the farther West. 

Coming directly to this county Mr. Scott pur- 
chased a tract of land on section 26 in Clay Pre- 
cinct, from the heirs of Rev. P. M. Rogers, to 
whose daughter, Anna P., he was married March 
14, 1867. Mrs. Scott was born June 13, 1848, in 
Claiborne County, Tenn., which was also the birth- 
place of her parents, her mother having been Miss 
Sarah Beeler. They left the South in the fall of 
1854, journeying overland to Iowa before the days 
of railroads along that route. Two years later 
they crossed the river, and locating on its banks 
found not long after that they were on land be- 
longing to the Indians, and hence made another re- 
moval to the place which our subject now occupies. 
There Mr. and Mrs. Rogers spent their last days, the 
father dying Aug. 20, 1874, and the mother Jan. 1, 
1887. 

To the parents of Mrs. Scott there were born 
seven children, namely: Harvey, LaEayette, Mar- 
shall L., Jane, Polly, David and Ann. Mr. Rogers 
was a man of more than ordinary ability, and a 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church many 
years. He was at an early date chosen to represent 
Pawnee County in the Legislature, serving two 
terms. 

Mr. and Mrs. Scott after their marriage began 
housekeeping at the place which our subject had 
purchased in Clay Precinct, and where they con- 
tinued to live until after the death of Mr. Rogers, 
when Mr. Scott purchased the home farm, where 
they now live. Our subject became identified with 
local affairs soon after taking up his residence here, 
and in the fall of 1878 was elected a County Com- 
missioner, serving a period of nine years. He is 
the owner of 740 acres of land, which is devoted 
to stock-raising, including Short-horn cattle, Ham- 



V- 



<+• 



T1 



I" 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



527 



*- 



bletonian liorses and Merino sheep. The place is 

embellished with a neat and substantial set of frame 
buildings, and there are all the conveniences for 
the successful prosecution of his calling. The 
premises present to the eye of the passerby a pic- 
ture of plenty and content which is delightful to 
look upon. Mr. Scott, politically, is a straight 
Republican. In religious matters the family are 
members in good standing of the United Brethren 
Church. 

Matthew Scott, the fnther of our subject, was the 
son of Andrew Scott, a native of Roxburghshire, 
Scotland, and was reared and educated in his native 
place. He married Miss Catherine Temple, daugh- 
ter of Dr. Robert and Elizabeth (Elliott) Temple, 
who were also of Scottish birth and ancestry. They 
were the parents of two children only: Robert, our 
subject, and his sister Ellen. The father was cut 
down in his prime, dying when Robert was a mere 
lad. and the mother passed away a few years later, 
lie wns thus thrown upon his own resources early in 
life, and may be most properly called a self-made 
man. He has obtained his possessions by honest 
industry, and he is not only numbered among the 
moneyed men of Pawnee County, but in social and 
business circles occupies a place in the front ranks. 



■ — —•' | ' 2 ' | < £ ' 1 "~ 

/^\ HARLES Y. DIMON, who was a prominent 
(l\ n l u " lu ' el ' n ' Northern Pawnee County in the 
^S^ early days of its settlement . and took an 
active part in the development of its agriculture, in 
the advancement of its educational and religious 
interests, and tin' promotion of the various schemes 
for internal improvements, is now living in one of 
the coziest homes in the city of Table Rock, de- 
voting his time tn looking after bis property. Mr. 
Dimon isanativeof New Jersey, born in the county 
of Sussex, Oct. 1. 1826. His father, Steven Dimon, 
was also a native of that State, and for a number of 
years was engaged at his trades as a miller and 
millwright, but subsequently bought land in Pike 
County, Pa., ami carried on farming there until his 
death. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary 
Puller, died some years earlier. They bad seven 
children, who lived to maturity. Their son. if 
-*• 



whom we write, received a good common-school 
education, and for several years devoted himself 
to teaching. He afterward turned his attention to 
farming in Pennsylvania, the State in which he 
was reared, and was quite successful in his venture. 
He took an important step toward the building up 
of a home in his marriage, April 28, 1852, to Miss 
Caroline M. Woodward. To them came one child. 
who died in infancy. Mrs. Dimon, who has been 
such an important factor in making her husband's 
life a success, was born Jan. 9, 182s. in Wayne 
County. Pa., near the town of Honesdale, and 
there lived until her marriage. Her father, Asher 
Woodward, was likewise a native of Wayne 
Count}', his birth taking place April 18, 1801. He 
married Miss Matilda Kennedy, and they had ten 
children, of whom Mrs. Dimon was the eldest. Mr. 
Woodward moved, in 1859, to Sandwich, DeKalb 
Co., 111., and was engaged in his calling as a farmer 
until his death. May 3, 1874. Mr. Woodward was a 
cousin of the celebrated Judge Woodward, of Penn- 
sylvania, a well-known jurist of that State, and for 
many years Judge of the Supreme Court. 

In the spring of 1857 our subject, who had heard 
much of the cheap lands of the Territory of Ne- 
braska, its fine climate, and other advantages, de- 
termined to locate here. He and his wife accord- 
ingly left their old home in Pennsylvania, he having 
disposed of his small property in that State, and 
started on the long journey to this part of the 
country. At Weston. Mo., they were obliged to 
disembark from the boat, as the river was full of 
ice. and was not navigable beyond that point. Mr. 
Dimon bought a yoke of cattle, and from that citj 
they traveled in a wagon up through Kansas, and 
arrived in Table Rock April I. 1857. Our subject 
soon took up a pre-emption claim on section 2. 
township 2. range 12. now Sheridan Precinct, and 
thus became the posseSSOrof 160 acres of bare prai- 
rie, except for a few acres of brush on the Nemaha, 
where his land commenced. When our subject 
came here the country was sparsely settled, there 
being but few settlers here and there along the Ne- 
maha. The Indians, however, were quite plentiful 
through the country, and one time while Mr. 
Dimon was away a band of Indians visited bis 
house, and Seating themselves around the lire made 



V 



•p j i f +• 



•►-11^ 



-•*" 



528 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



*t 



themselves quite at home, much to Mrs. Dimon's 
alarm. When the fire needed replenishing she did 
not dare to go for firewood, fearing that her un- 
welcome guests would steal something while she 
was away. But when the temperature of the room 
became too cold for Messrs. Lo they found their 
way to the woodpile, and returned to the house 
laden with fuel, and rebuilt the fire themselves, and 
prolonged their visit for some time. 

Mr. Dimon's first work was to build a log house, 
fourteen feet square, in which he and his wife 
lived very comfortably for the next ten years. In 
1867 he replaced that modest dwelling by a more 
commodious one, of stone which was quarried on 
his farm by himself, that being one of the first 
houses in this part of the county to be built of that 
material. The work on the house was done by 
Peter Foale, and Mr. Dhnon drew the lumber from 
Brownville, and made the oak shingles himself. 
The house is still .standing, a story and a half dwell- 
ing, of good size, and conveniently arranged. Mr. 
Dimon began breaking his land as soon as possible, 
and in the years that followed brought it to a fine 
state of culture. When he left the farm, there 
were fine groves of maples, evergreens, shrubbery, 
etc., around the house, and a good orchard, all of 
which he had set out, besides putting a hedge 
around the farm. The first years of his settlement in 
Pawnee County our subject saw some hard times, in 
common with the other pioneers. lie used to take 
all of his produce to P>rowuville or Rulo and ex- 
change for just the necessary groceries, and managed 
that way until the time of freighting, when money 
became more plentiful, and would go much further 
in buying than produce. Mr. Dimon says he has 
seen the time even when it was hard to get postage 
stamps. He had not very much means when he 
came here, but being a man of ability and intelli- 
gence, he has accumulated a very comfortable com- 
petency, and is the owner of several residences 
here, from the rental of which he derives a good 
income. While he was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits he was much interested in raising cattle, 
devoting his attention to .Short-horns, he buying 
of Thomas McClure the first full-blooded bull of 
that breed that was brought into this part of the 
county, and in that way lie was one of the first to 



have a good herd. He also raised horses and hogs 
of good grades. He sold his farm in 1883, and pur- 
chasing a neat and tasty brick cottage in the city, 
moved into it, and has ever since resided there. 

Mr. Dimon was the first Assessor of this precinct, 
when there but few houses here. He was elected 
Justice of the Peace, but subsequently resigned. 
In politics he has always voted with the Republican 
party. Mr. Dimon helped to build all of the first 
bridges in this part of the country, and among 
them was the first bridge across the Nemaha, on the 
line between Table Rock and Sheridan precincts. 
lie was at the meeting at which the first school 
district in the northern part of the county was or- 
ganized, was chosen the first Director, and held 
that office, or some other position on the School 
Hoard the most of the time while he remained a 
resident of the district, By virtue of his office he 
was a member of the building committee, and helped 
to build the first school-house. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dimon are very prominent mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Table 
Rock. Mr. Dimon was converted while still a 
young man in Pennsylvania, and made his connec- 
tion with the Methodist Church when he was 
twenty years old, and has since been a consistent 
member and an active worker within the fold. 
While at Waymart, Pa., he was Class-Leader in the 
Church, and he holds that office here, besides being 
Trustee of the church. He was one of the original 
members of the Table Rock church, one of the first 
religious organizations in the county, he at first be- 
ing Trustee, and has since been Class-Leader, Stew- 
ard and Trustee most of the time. If it had not 
been for his earnest efforts in soliciting subscrip- 
tions for the church and parsonage, Table Hock 
would probably have been without a house of wor- 
ship for several years longer. He and the Rev. 
Burch went to the woods and shaved shingles for the 
building. Mr. Dimon also helped substantially in 
building the first church and parsonage in Hum- 
boldt and Pawnee City, and also a second church in 
Table Rock. He is a zealous worker in the Sunday- 
school, and shortly after he came here organized one 
in his own neighborhood, which was one of the ear- 
liest, if not the first in the county, and was for 
many years its Superintendent, until he removed to 



*•- 








6A4S-&l/SgJ y/4 / fr/l4#l^0K_ 








JL 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



531 



(In- city. He is now chorister, treasurer and teacher 
in the school connected with the church in which 
he worships. Mr. Dimon is highly spoken of by 
all for the probity of his character, and his life has 
been an exemplar; one, well worthy of being the 
model for any young man. 

S. DICKINSON. The subject of this 
r memoir found his way to Nebraska in 1884, 
and settled upon the farm which he now 
occupies, and which comprises 240 acres of 
good land on sections 16 and 21, Clay Precinct, lie 
has a family history which is of more than usual 
interest, and which we will append after dealing 
with the more immediate events of his life. 

Mr. Dickinson was born in Randolph, Portage 
Co., Ohio, Aug. 5, 1820, and removed to Henry 
County, 111., in 1855. He had up to this time re- 
mained a bachelor, but he now met his fate in the 
person of Jane A. Baker, to whom he was married 
Sept. 14, 1857. Mrs. Dickinson was a native of 
the same State as her husband, born in Washington 
County, Sept. 25, 1831. They spent the first years 
of their married life in the Prairie State, and be- 
came the parents of four children. Their eldest, 
Ida E., was born Sept. 19, 1859, and married John 
McCall; John M. was born Jan. 3, 1861 ; Charles 
T., Oct. 28, 1862, and Julia A.. Dec. 23, 1866. 

Mr. Dickinson while in Illinois was connected 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
officiated as Steward a number of years. He was 
in early manhood a member of the Republican 
party, but his warm interest in the temperance 
cause has led him to array himself with the Pro- 
hibitionists. He is now, with his family, a member 
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. In 1851 he sought the Pacific Slope and 
engaged in mining in California for four 3-ears. 
Then returning to Illinois, he sojourned there until 
his removal to this county. He is regarded as a 
thorough and skillful farmer, and each year sees 
something added to the value of his property. He 
has a good set of buildings and farm machinery, 
and has planted an orchard of apple trees, besides 
gathering about the dwelling various other corn- 
el 



forts and conveniences. He is a man who attends 
strictly to his own concerns, makes very little stir 
in the world, but entertains decided views and 
opinions, and keeps himself posted upon matters of 
general interest to the intelligent citizen. 

Our subject is the son of Jesse and Roxie (Chap- 
man) Dickinson, the latter of whom died when a 
young woman of about twenty-nine years, in Feb- 
ruary, 1821, less than a year after the birth of her 
son H. S. Jesse Dickinson departed this life 
Feb. 19, 1878, at his home in Illinois. The pater- 
nal grandfather was Oliver Dickinson, who spent 
his last years in Ohio. 

From an article written some time since in the 
Cleveland Herald, we gather the following facts in 
relation to this family, which traces its lineage back 
almost to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth 
Rock: The earliest authentic record is of Nathaniel 
Dickinson, who lived in Wethersfield, Conn., in 
1634. From' hi ra descended successively Thomas, 
David, Richard and Oliver, the latter being the 
grandfather of our subject. He (Oliver) migrated 
to East Granville, Mass., where he followed the 
trade of blacksmith. He secured four or five acres 
of land, and made for himself and family a com- 
fortable living, and to him were born Oliver, Wal- 
ter; Jesse, the father of our subject, and Alpheus. 

Grandfather Dickinson finally had an opportunity 
to trade his little home for wild land in what 
was then called New Connecticut, but is now tin 
Western Reserve of Ohio. This land was located 
in Randolph Township, anil was owned by Lemuel 
Storrs, who had been sole proprietor of the whole 
township. Oliver Dickinson started West to view 
his contemplated purchase, and had a large tract 
from which to make his selection of 660 acres. His 
first choice was lot 66, and upon a portion of this 
now stands Randolph Center. A few people had 
come into this region to make settlement. Mr. D. 
returned to Massachusetts and the following year 
Started with his family and all his earthly posses- 
sions. stowed away in a large two- horse wagon, to 
which were attached three yoke of oxen and one 
horse as a leader of the band. For forty-eight 
long and weary days they journeyed toward the 
setting sun, through Pennsylvania, over the Alle- 
ghany Mountains, little occurring to break the 





PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4 



monotony until they reached their journey's end, 
and found themselves the eighth family to settle in 
Randolph Township. 

The history of the early settlement of Ohio 
abounds with thrilling incidents, and Mr. Dickinson 
had his full share of privation, difficulty and dan- 
ger. They had to journey a long distance to mill, 
following bridle-paths, and frequently being disap- 
pointed in getting their grist. When the miller was 
away and could not be reached, the mother put the 
corn in a mortar or hulled it, and the famil3' waited 
patiently, although sometimes very hungry, until it 
was baked on a board or in the old iron kettle. 
Oliver Dickinson lived on lot 66 until his death, 
which occurred in 1842. He left a competency for 
his children. During the War of 1812 a draft was 
ordered in Randolph Township, and of the six or 
seven men thus selected for military duty four 
were the sons of Oliver Dickinson. Oliver C. and 
Alpheus were sent to Lower Sandusky, now Fre- 
mont; Walter was already serving as teamster in 
the army, and was excused: Jesse, the father of our 
subject, went to Ravenna to be mustered into the 
service, but was sent home and told to hold him- 
self in readiness at a moment's call. He was, how- 
ever, never called upon. At the end of seventy 
days the father hired a substitute for his youngest 
son, then nineteen years old, and he came home. 

Lovejoy, the wife of Oliver Dickinson, died 
many years before her husband, in 1818. Oliver 
O, his son, died in 1854; Walter in 1855, and Com- 
fort, the remaining daughter, who came with the 
family from Massachusetts, in 1877, in Kansas, 
when very old ; Jesse, the father of our subject, re- 
moved to Illinois about 1856, and is now deceased. 
In 1821 he united with the Congregational Church, 
remaining from that time on a regular communi- 
cant, and finally becoming its oldest living member 
in Wellsfield, 111. 

In the Congregational burying-grouud at Ran- 
dolph Centre, Ohio, are lying side by side the six 
deceased wives of Alpheus Dickinson, an uncle of 
our subject, and in connection with these is a most 
remarkable tale. The first wife on her deathbed 
recommended to her husband Mary Percy Roberts, 
who, like herself, was a native of Middletown, Conn. 
1 After a proper time had elapsed Mr. Dickinson 



started for New England, making the long journey 
on horseback, and bringing back with him his sec- 
ond wife. This lady soon died, and before dying she 
recommended her husband to marry Mary Johnson, 
who, like the two preceding, was a resident of Mid- 
dletown. Once more does Mr. Dickinson repeat 
the long and tedious journey to Connecticut on 
horseback, and returns bringing his third wife. He 
is for the third time left a widower, in 1832. He 
subsequently married Maria Curtis, of Charle'stown, 
Ohio, who died in 1864. His fifth wife was Martha 
Sears, of the same town, who lived less than two 
3 r ears after her marriage. The name of his sixth wife 
is not given in the narrative, beyond the fact that 
she existed. The five wives were all comparatively 
young at the time of their death. The second was 
a cousin to the first, and the third a cousin to the 
second; the fifth was a niece of the first. Alpheus 
Dickinson, notwithstanding the great afflictions he 
had been called upon to endure, used frequently to 
remark: "I have never } T et been placed in circum- 
stances so distressing and hopeless but that I could 
think of someone whose situation was worse than 
mine." He was of a cheerful disposition, and of a 
remarkably social turn, with strong religious tend- 
encies, living to a good old age, and spending his 
last years in Randolph Township. 

On an adjoining page will be found a fine por- 
trait of Mr. H. S. Dickinson, the representative in 
Nebraska of this ancient family. 

^1 AMES MILTON, a practical and progressive 
agriculturist of West Branch Precinct, is the 
owner of a fertile and well-conducted farm 
of 160 acres, lying on sections 13 and 24. 
He is a native of Ohio, born in Otsego, Muskingum 
County, April 21, 1835. He is of Dutch ancestry, 
his paternal grandfather having been the first of his 
paternal ancestors born in the United States. He 
took an active part in the Revolutionary War, and 
afterward settled in New York State. Daniel Mil- 
ton, father of our subject, was born in Albany. N. 
Y.,and in early life learned the trade of blacksmith. 
He enlisted in the War of 1812, and was detailed 
to work in the shops. At the close of the war he 



**• 



=fcf* 



*fc 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



533 



went to New York City, and for some time after 
was employed by the Government in the navy 
yard. He afterward moved to Ohio and opened 
a smithy in Muskingum County, subsequently buy- 
ing a farm and establishing a forge at Otsego, the 
same county. 

Thinking to make money more easily and rapidly 
than at his trade, Mr. Milton engaged in the salt 
business, but was unfortunate, losing his entire capi- 
tal, and had to resume his former occupation. In 
1855 he pushed still farther West, coming by boat to 
Iowa, where he located on a farm in Louisa County, 
near Morning Sun, and there engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits until his death, in 1800, at the ad- 
vanced age of seventy-three years. He was a man 
of sterling worth, and a member of the Baptist 
Church. The maiden name of his wife was Susan 
Dillon, who was a native of Muskingum County, 
Ohio. To her and her husband were born eleven 
children, as follows: Henry died in infancy ; George, 
deceased; Mary lives in Iowa; Julia, deceased; 
Elizabeth lives in Ohio; Margaret, with our subject; 
James; Francis, deceased; Daniel, deceased, was in 
the late Civil War; Emily, deceased; John, with 
our subject. 

James Milton, of our sketch, received his educa- 
tion in Ohio, attending a subscription school. He 
earl}' learned the trade of a blacksmith from his 
father, and at the age of fourteen years began earn- 
ing his living away from home, usually doing light 
farm work. When twenty years of age he removed 
to Louisa County, Iowa, with his parents, and there, 
near Morning Sun, rented land in partnership with 
his father and engaged in farming. He continued 
thus employed until 18P2, when, inspired by patri- 
otic impulses, he enlisted in Company <!, 19th Iowa 
Infantry, and was mustered into service at Keokuk. 
His regiment was assigned to the 2d Division of the 
13th Army Corps, under Gen. Scofield, and ordered 
to the frontier in Missouri. 

Mr. Milton and bis comrades were at first engaged 
principally in scouting, having an occasional skir- 
mish with the enemy, until the battle of Prairie 
Grove, in which they took an active part. The}' 
wen' again engaged in skirmishing and bushwhack- 
ing until the spring of 180.3, when their division 
was ordered to Yicksburg, and assigned a position 

«*•■ 



on the extreme left, and during the siege did effi- 
cient service. Our subject was subsequently sent 
on a scouting expedition up the Mississippi River, 
and his company had a severe engagement at Mor- 
ganza. Returning to Jackson, Miss., the men met 
the enemy at Black River, where they had a skir- 
mish, going thence to Port Hudson; then again 
they proceeded southward to New Orleans. With 
other members of his regiment Mr. Milton was sent 
from there to the mouth of the Red River on a 
scouting expedition, thence to Morgan's Bend to 
hold the rebels in check. They had a hotly con- 
tested battle Sept. 29, 18G3, and our subject being 
taken prisoner, was sent to Tyler, Tex., where he 
was put into the stockade, and until the next July 
suffered the horrors of a rebel prison. On the 'Jlh 
of that month he was exchanged, and returning to 
New Orleans, joined bis old regiment, which was 
soon after ordered to Pcnsacola, Fla., where he was 
put on picket duty to watch for blockade runners. 

In the winter of 18G4 Mr. Milton was sent with 
his comrades to the defense of Mobile, and took 
part in the battle of Spanish Fort. Going from 
there to Ft. Blakely they had another engagement. 
Subsequently our subject was mustered out of serv- 
ice at Mobile, and received his honorable discharge 
at Davenport, Iowa. During his term of service in 
defense of his country Mr. Milton was not wounded, 
although at Yicksburg he received a severe strain 
while carrying logs. 

After leaving the army our subject returned to 
Louisa County and resumed his agricultural labors, 
staying there until 1867, when, accompanied by his 
brother John and sister Margaret, he came to Ne- 
braska with a team, crossing the river at Brown- 
ville. and came to this county. He took up a home- 
stead claim of eighty acres of wild land, and became 
one of the first settlers of West Branch Precinct. 
lie at once began the improvement of his farm, set- 
ting out fine groves of forest trees, an orchard, 
built a comfortable and convenient bouse, a good 
barn and out-buildings, hauling the lumber for 
them from St. Joseph. Mr. Milton was very pros- 
perous in his undertaking, and to his original claim 
has added an adjacent tract of eighty acres, making 
him now the owner of 100 acres of arable land, 
which is entirely improved and under excellent eul- 



534 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



tivation. John Milton, the brother of our subject, 
as soon as twentj'-one years of age homesteader] 
eighty acres of land, but afterward sold that and 
bought eighty acres adjoining that of our subject, 
and they now cany on in partnership the 240 
acres of land, doing an extensive business in farm- 
ing and stock-raising, having a large number of 
hogs, horses and cattle. 

Our subject is an intelligent, well-informed man, 
of high moral principles, prominent in assisting all 
schemes for public benefit, and his many virtues 
and pleasant ways have gained him a host of friends. 
Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R., and in 
politics he earnestly supports the Republican party. 



»S4l>OT»"Vw 



-Art/V - *Z&H<&j& 



ylLLlAM C. HANK1NS. In the career here 
presented of the subject of this sketch we 
have that of one of the early representa- 
tives of the mercantile interests of Pawnee City. 
He has been a good business man" in his day. hav- 
ing been fortunate in acquiring a competence, and 
is now enjoying the fruits of his labors in the peace 
and comfort of his home, surrounded by hosts of 
friends and many of the luxuries of life. 

Mr. Hankins began life near the Atlantic Coast, 
in Monmouth County, N. J., Sept. 3, 1836. His 
parents, Samuel S. and Ann P. (Gulick) Han- 
kins. were natives of the same State as their son, 
and the father was there quite extensively engaged 
as a contractor and builder. In 1839 his attention 
was attracted to the young and rapidly growing 
State of Ohio, and he decided to emigrate thither. 
He took with him his little family, and located in 
the town of Charloe, Paulding County, where he 
prosecuted his vocation, superintending the erec- 
tion of the county court-house and other prominent 
buildings, many of which still stand as monuments 
of his thoroughness and skill. There his death took 
place in 1852, when he was in his prime, having 
been born in 1806. 

The mother of our subject survived her husband 
a period of thirty-two 3 T ears. remaining a widow. 
She spent her last days in Ohio, dying at the home 
of her daughter, in 1884. Four sons and five 
daughters came to bless this onion, of whom Will- 



•►w 



iam C, our subject, was the fourth in order of 
birth, lie was three years of age when his parents 
removed to Ohio, and consequently remembers lit- 
tle of the journey, although it was performed in 
the most primitive style, overland with teams, be- 
fore the days of railroads or hotels. He spent his 
boyhood and youth in Paulding County, obtaining 
a common-school education, and being trained to 
habits of industry. At the age of sixteen years he 
commenced learning the trade^of saddler and har- 
ness-maker, at which he served the regular appren- 
ticeship of three years. 

In the year 1856. being then a young man of 
twenty years. Mr. Hankins started on a trip to the 
Pacific Slope, and spent five years in the mining 
regions of California. He was not successful in 
this enterprise, and returned to Ohio in time to 
enlist in the defense of the Union, becoming a 
member of Company II, 14th Ohio Infantry, in 
the spring of 1861. His regiment was under the 
command of Col. Steadman, and they proceeded 
to West Virginia in time to participate in the 
battles of Philippi, Carrick Ford, Cheat River — 
this campaign being under the first call for 75.- 
000 troops, who enlisted for three months. At the 
expiration of that time our subject received his 
honorable discharge and returned home. 

The war, however, was by no means ended, and 
Mr. Hankins was not one to stand idly by and 
watch the conflict, so he enlisted in Company II. 
191st Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the 
command of Gen. Sheridan, stationed then at Win- 
chester. They operated in that region until the 
close of the war, were mustered out at Winchester 
and disbanded at Camp Chase, near Columbus, 
Ohio. Mr. Hankins then returned home a second 
time, and on Feb. 11, 1865, was married to .Miss 
Elizabeth McCoy, of Paulding County. This lady 
was born in that county, and is the daughter of 
Jonathan S. McCoy, who was a native of Ohio, and 
spent his last days in that State. 

Mr. Hankins. in the spring of 1867, decided to 
seek his fortunes in the farther West, and accord- 
ingly made his way to the newly admitted State of 
Nebraska. Locating in Pawnee City, he was for 
five years thereafter engaged in the harness busi- 
ness, being the pioneer harness-maker of the city. 

-*► 



f 



*ff 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



535 



lie then sold out and established himself as a gen- 
eral merchant, which business occupied his time 
:m<l attention until 1885, when he retired, trading 
Stock for farms in Pawnee ami Lancaster Counties, 
which he still owns. His family consists of his wife 
and six children, one son and five daughters. Katie, 
the eldest, became the wife of W. T. Jones, who is 
now deceased. The others are: Sadie, George, Dell, 
Bessie and Maude. Socially. Mr. Hankins is a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. He has been a reliable busi- 
ness man, and is one of the stockholders of the 
Farmers' State Bank, which was organized at Du- 
ll, .is. in 1886. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
Thomas Hankins. one of the earliest settlers of New 
Jersey and of English ancestry. Grandfather <!u- 
lick served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 
and traced his ancestry to Scotland. 




4 



-»~MfH»| [ ' S ' g> '''*''' 

EN F. HILDEBRAND, editor and proprie- 
tor of the Pawnee Press, is conducting with 
success the only Democratic paper in this 
county. He first set foot upon the soil of 
Nebraska Nov. G, 1878, coming directly hither. 
Upon finishing his education at the High School in 
Pawnee City, he entered the Republican office, 
where he worked three years, learning the business, 
and later was associated with his brother, J. G. P. 
Ilildebrand, the result of their united labors being 
the Press, at a time when there were but very 
few adherents of the Democracy in this region. 
From a small beginning this journal has grown to 
be one of the important institutions of the county, 
having the largest circulation of any paper printed 
within its limits. It is a bright and newsy sheet, a 
favorite with all, regardless of politics. Mr. Ililde- 
brand, although young in years, is a thorough, and 
capable business man, systematic and conscientious, 
and in connection with his job office receives the 
patronage of the best citizens of the county. 

Our subject is essentially a Western man, having 
been born in Keokuk County, Iowa, Feb. 14, 1864. 
He lived there until a lad of fourteen years, then. 
in 1878, came with his parents to this county, they 
settling on a farm seven miles south of town, where 

«4» 



he lived until removing to Pawnee City to learn 
the printing trade. Ben F. attended the common 
school and assisted his father in opening up the 
-.new farm, in the meantime keeping his eyes open 
to what was going on around him in the world, and 
by reading and study securing a good fund of 
general information. When but a youth lie became 
interested in politics, and has been quite active in 
local affairs, frequently serving as a delegate to the 
different County and State Conventions, and through 
his paper giving his best efforts to bring about the 
success of his party. The Press was the first jour- 
nal to introduce the name of Mr. McShann, the first 
Democrat elected to Congress from this State. Mr. 
Ilildebrand has held several of the local offices, but 
has very little ambition in this direction, preferring 
to give his exclusive attention to his paper and his 
business interests. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Minnie 
E. Moore, of Pawnee City, was celebrated at the 
liomeof the bride, June 14, 1888. Mrs. Hildebrand 
was born Oct. 4, 1865, at Darien, Wis., and is the 
daughter of John and Lorena Moore, who came to 
this count}' in the month of December, 1885. 
Mr. Moore, a native of New Jersey, was born in 
1819, and moved to Wisconsin. He was married 
to a Miss Hart, in New Jersey, previous to remov- 
ing to Wisconsin. The} - became the parents of nine 
children, two of whom died when young. Mr. 
Moore was a farmer by occupation, and carried on 
agriculture a year or more after coining to this 
county. He is now retired from active labor, and 
with his excellent wife, makes his home in Pawnee 
City. Unlike his son-in-law he is a stanch Repub- 
lican. The latter, in religious matters, is identified 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Henry Ilildebrand, the father of our subject, was 
born in the Shenandoah Valley, Ya., April 23, 
1816, and lived there probably until 1 854, carrying 
on farming and milling. He married Miss Elizabeth 
Whitzel, and to them there were born eleven chil- 
dren, eight of whom lived to mature years. Upon 
their removal to Iowa they settled remote from any 
neighbors, and the father constructed a comfortable 
homestead from a tract of wild land. He occupied 
this until 1878, then selling out. came to this 
State, and purchased a farm in South Fork Pre- 



f 



i 



536 



*► 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



cinct. where he lived until the decease of the mother, 
which took place Aug. 10, 1882. Mr. Hildebrand 
then took up his residence in town. He has owned 
several different farms since disposing of his first 
purchase. The mother of Mrs. Hildebrand was 
born near Liola, Va., in 1820, and lived there with 
her parents until her marriage. 



ftl EROME SHELLHORN. There are few cit- 
izens of Pawnee Count}' residing here any 
length of time who are not familiar with 
the name of this honored pioneer. He first 
set foot upon the soil of Nebraska in the spring of 
1855. taking up his abode on a tract of land in 
Richardson County, where he sojourned a period of 
nine years. Thence he removed to Nemaha 
County, living there also nine years, and in the fall 
of 1873 took up his abode in Pawnee City, of 
which he has since been a resident. He has had a 
ripe experience in mercantile business and farming. 
In 1882 he purchased ground within the corporate 
limits of the city, underneath which there lay a 
strata of sand to the depth of fifteen feet. From 
this he supplies all the sand for building purposes 
that is used for miles around. Later he dug a 
large well which is kept supplied to the depth of 
twelve feet with living water, and from which, dur- 
ing the dry season, he supplies the citizen by the 
barrel, it thus proving an inestimable boon to them 
and the source of a handsome income to the pro- 
prietor. Plasterers, builders, fair associations, etc., 
are supplied from this source. 

The reliable old Keystone State gave to our sub- 
ject his first impressions of life, he having been 
born in the village of Berlin. Somerset Count}-, 
Oct. 28, 1826. His father, Henry Suellhorn, in 
1854 removed to Nebraska and settled on South 
Fork, two miles east of DuBois, where he lived 
until May 4 of the following year, when he died. 
He was a native of Maryland, and married Miss 
Anna M. Lour, who was born in Somerset County. 
Pa., and was the daughter of Henry Lour, who 
spent his last years in Ohio. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
twelve children, six sons and six daughters, who, 

«» 



with one exception, all lived to mature years. Of 
these Jerome, our subject, was the sixth in order 
of birth. When a mere lad his parents removed 
to Knox County, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood 
and youth, acquiring a common-school education, 
and served an apprenticeship of two years at the 
weaver's trade. His principal business in connec- 
tion with this was to make coverlets. At the age 
of twenty-four years he was wedded to Miss 
Rachel A. Moore, the daughter of Thomas Moore, 
Esq., of Knox County, Ohio. Tn the fall of 1852 
the young people decided to seek the farther West, 
and moved across the Mississippi into Andrew 
County, Mo. Two years later they came to Ne- 
braska, as wc have already indicated. There have 
come to their fireside eight children, of whom the 
record is as follows: Thomas H. is at home; Alice 
I. is the wife of John H. Cummins, and they live 
in Pawnee City; Elizabeth Eldora married John 
W. Fisher, of Pawnee City; the others, who were 
named respectively : Theodore Sigel, Amanda Belle 
(1st), Amanda Belle (2d), Theodore Sigel and Lily 
May. are deceased. 

Mr. Shellhorn, while a resident of Richardson 
County, was somewhat prominent in local affairs, 
and represented his precinct in the County Board 
of Supervisors one year. He uniformly votes the 
Republican ticket, and is a member in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His 
paternal grandfather, John Shellhorn, was a native 
of Maryland, following the occupation of a teams- 
ter, and lost his life by drowning while attempting 
to ford the Potomac River during the breaking up 
of the heavy ice. 

— > ' -#*#- ^~ 



W)ILLIAM A. SHANNON is prominently 
identified with the pioneer history of Paw- 
nee County, as having been one of its 
earliest settlers. He pushed his way into Nebraska 
Territory as one of the advance guard, and has 
maintained his residence here in spite of the diffi- 
culties and hardships which were endured in com- 
mon by those adventurous spirits who sought their 
home on the frontier before the era of either stage 
or railroad. He was born in Hendricks County, 



f 



"Tr* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



537 i , 



Ind., -Ian. 1, 1834, and is the son of Thomas R. 
Shannon, a native of Oiles County, Va. The latter 
married Miss Sally M. Allen, also a native of 
Giles County, and the}' became the parents of live 
children, all sons, of whom William A. was third 
in order of birth. 

The father of our subject carried on farming on 
the soil of the Old Dominion until about 1858, and 
the fall of that year found the whole family journey- 
ing westward to Nebraska Territory. The father 
took up a homestead claim of 160 acres, upon which 
he labored a period often years, building up a good 
farm and resting from his toils in the October of 
1868. The mother survived her husband a period 
of eight years, passing away in 1875. William A., 
our subject, was married in Ma}', 1 87 I , to Miss Mary 
E. Scott, who was born in Hendricks Count}', Ind., 
in 1836. Her father, Shannon Scott, was a native 
of Virginia, and removed first to Indiana and 
thence to Iowa, spending his last days upon the 
soil of the Hawkeye State. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shannon set- 
tled on a tract of land in Nebraska, where our sub- 
ject operated first as a renter, and then purchased 
100 acres which is included in his present farm. 
From this he has constructed a good homestead, 
and is now giving his attention largely to stock- 
raising. His family consists of one child only, a 
daughter, Minnie May. who was born March 18, 
1*76. Two of their children died in infancy. Mr. 
Shannon, in political matters, affiliates with the Re- 
publican party, and religiously, is a member in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at- 
tending regular services in Pawnee City. 



"JLZ&Oig" 



*@£SW37»v» 




4 



A VIS G A LLAGHER, a veteran of seventy- 
five years, and one of the earliest pioneers 
of this count}', established himself on the 

west side of the Missouri thirty-four years 
ago, in the spring of L855. His experience has 
been one replete with scenes of great interest con- 
nected with life on the frontier at a time when few- 
white settlers had ventured to this region. The 
Indian trail was yet visible and the savages looked 



upon the while invaders with no friendly eye. 
There was no indication of railroads or bridges, 
scarcely even a wagon track to mark the path of 
the emigrant. No man of an effeminate disposition 
would venture to this section at that time, for it 

required re than ordinal}- courage to risk life 

and property in the Western wilds. 

Mr. Gallagher, however, was a man more than 
ordinarily brave and resolute, and he came to stay. 
The first years of his residence, which were spent 
in Richardson County, were employed in bringing 
a portion of the new soil into cultivation, and upon 
the land which he then secured he spent a period of 
two years. Upon selling out, in the spring of 
1857, he came to this county and purchased 160 
acres, one mile west of the present site of Pawnee 
City, there being then no indications of the present 
nourishing town. Here he has carried on the culti- 
vation of his farm, planting fruit and shade trees, 
erecting buildings, and laboring diligently until 
1881, when he sold this farm and purchased a farm 
four miles south of the city, on which he contin- 
ued until advancing years advised him it would 
be wise to retire. He accordingly, in 1884, left the 
farm in the hands of a renter, and took up his resi- 
dence in Pawnee City, where he occupies a pleasant 
home and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. 

The early home of Mr. < lallagher was in Chester 
County. Pa., where his birth took place March -.'7. 
1814. His father, William Gallagher, was a native 
of New Hampshire and a blacksmith by trade. In 
early manhood, leaving New England, he migrated 
to Pennsylvania, and was there married to Miss 
Mary Davis, a native of Chester County, Pa. They 
settled not far from the early home of the wife, 
and there spent the remainder of their days, pass 
ing away under the roof-tree which sheltered them 
when they began life's journey together. They 
were the parents of seven children, two sons and 
live daughters, of whom Davis was next to the 
youngest. The mother of our subject died when 
he was a little lad three years of age. and he was 
reared by hisaunt and grandmother, the latter Mrs. 
Susan Davis, with whom he lived until a youth of 
seventeen. 

Our subject was the child of his father's Grsl 
marriage. He also served an apprenticeship a( the 

«*, 



f* 




538 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



blacksmith trade, at which he worke 1 in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, and when twenty-one years old was 
married, in 1835, to Miss Elizabeth Morrison, <>f 
that county, where she had been born April 22, 
1817. and reared to womanhood. Mrs. G. is the 
daughter of Nathaniel and Anna (Yauger) Morri- 
son, whose family comprised eleven children. After 
their marriage our subject and his wife settled in 
Blue Rock Township, Muskingum Co., Ohio, where 
he engaged in different employments. In the fall of 
1853 he decided to seek the more western country. 
and moved with Ins family to Andrew County, Mo., 
where they lived two years. Next they took up 
their residence in Nebraska, and their subsequent 
movements we have already indicated. 

In due time there came to the household of Mr. 
and Mrs. Gallagher seven interesting children, the 
eldest of whom, a daughter, Ann, became the wife 
of Daniel Lemming; Mary married Samuel How- 
ard; Hannah is the wife of John Ward; Susan 
was married, and died when about thirty-two years 
old: John D. is a residentof Colorado; James M. 
is at home with his parents. The political senti- 
ments of our subject coincide most emphatically 
with the principles of the Republican party. He 
and his estimable wife present the extraordinary 
picture of a couple who have lived amicably to- 
gether for a period of fifty-three years, both 3'oung 
looking for their age and in good health. Mr. 
Gallagher cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, 
being a member of the old Whig party until its 
abandonment by the organization of the Repub- 
lican. He owns his town residence and also a good 
farm in Clay Precinct. 



~t 



OOTTFRIED BUROW. In the life history 
, of the subject of this record is presented an 
illustration of strength of character, pa- 
tience and resolution not often to be met with. lie 
is a man who has battled with great difficulties in 
life, and one who has achieved more than ordinary 
success amid discouragements and trials that would 
have dismayed most men. From a modest, begin- 
ning, unassisted, he has accumulated a fine prop- 
erty, being now the owner of 748 acres of valuable 
*. 



land lying on sections 1, 2 and 10. Table Hock Pre- 
cinct. The whole of this is enclosed with neat and 
substantial fencing, largely of hedge, and none of 
it is waste land. The buildings are neat and sub- 
stantial, and the entire estate reflects great credit 
upon our subject, who built it up largely from an 
uncultivated tract of land. Of late years he has 
been extensively interested in stock-raising, keep- 
ing excellent grades of horses, cattle and swine. 
He is a man widely anil favorably known through- 
out Pawnee County as one having been no unim- 
portant factor in the development of its great 
natural resources. 

Mr. Burow first set foot upon the soil of Ne- 
braska in the spring of 1857. Not provided with 
any very great amount of means, he took eighty 
acres of Government land, most of which was 
prairie, although there was upon it some timber. 
He turned the first furrow himself, and as rapidly 
as possible effected the improvement of his purchase, 
by putting up the buildings most needed, and 
planting fruit and shade trees. He had only la- 
bored a few years, however, when the notes of war 
began to resound throughout the land, calling 
upon every good patriot to shoulder arms in de- 
fense of the Union. 

Mr. Burow now laid aside his personal plans and 
interests, and in the face of what he knew would 
prove a great detriment to his property by his ab- 
sence, enlisted in Company E, 13th Kansas Infan- 
try, at Maiysville, in August, 1862. His regiment 
was assigned to the army doing duty along the 
Arkansas River, meeting the enemy at Prairie 
Grove, Van Buren and Port Smith, and reaching 
Little Rock just as the place was taken by the fed- 
erals. There was still, however, fighting to do, 
and Mr. Burow, although frequently in the thickest 
of it, received only a slight wound in the finger 
from a spent ball. Later he was in other important 
engagements, his army service comprising two 
years and eleven months. The hard marches and 
exposures of camp life so told on his constitution 
that he almost lost Ins hearing, and is now quite 
deaf. 

Our subject entered the ranks in perfect health, 
but the hardships and privations incident to the 
life of a soldier resulted in his contracting an in- 




±JU 



■*•■ 



i*Hh-*» 



I'AWNEE COUNTY. 



539 




curable disease, from which he suffers to the present 
day. IK' has expended hundreds of dollars in 
treatment with comparatively little relief, and has 
never since been in the enjoyment of good health. 
Notwithstanding this affliction told greatly upon 
his mental and physical powers, his wonderful en- 
ergy and perseverance kept him up, and he has all 
along managed his business affairs with the good 
judgment seldom seen in men in perfect health. 
After receiving his honorable discharge at Little 
Rock he proceeded to Leavenworth to be paid off. 
Then returning to Nebraska, he. in company with 
his brother William, took up 160 acres additional 
land, which he likewise improved. When return- 
ing from the army he could not have purchased 
a box of matches, and the fact that he is to-day a 
well-to-do man. is a forcible illustration of what 
may be accomplished by sturdy perseverance and 
good management. 

The Burow homestead is considered one of the 
Bnesl in Pawnee County, and the family one of the 
wealthiest and most honored. The first dwelling 
of our subject and his estimable wife was a small 
log house in which they lived until 1874. The 
summer following this was replaced by a tine large 
dwelling, two stories in height, and was at that 
time considered the finest residence in this part of 
the county. Such was the nature of its construc- 
tion, that it still retains its original solidity, being 
placed on a solid stone foundation, the walls tilled 
in with concrete. The residence with its surround- 
ings forms one of the most attractive pictures in 
the Landscape of this region. Its surroundings, 
fruit and shade trees, with the neat and convenient 
out-buildings, the stabling forcattleand horses, the 
live stock and the farm machinery, complete the 
idea of the modern country home. 

The first windmill put up within ten or twelve 
miles of here was erected by the enterprise of Mr. 

Burow. Later he purchased another, and has all 

the other machinery required for the successful 
prosecution of agriculture ami slock growing. A 
school district was not organized until ten years 
after his settlement here. In this project lie was 
one of the leading men. and was also active in the 
erection of 1 he first school building. He is a be- 
liever in education, and in giving to the young all 



the advantages which shall make of them reliable 
and worthy citizens. For t wo years a school was 
conducted in his house. He was at an earl\ date 
Selected to discharge the duties of the various local 
offices, as a man of ability and integrity, and one 
who had the interests of the people ever in mind. 
lie, however, has never been an office-seeker, but 
has been willing to do what he could for the good 
of his community, just as he left his fanning busi- 
ness and went to the war from pure patriotism. 
Nebraska then not having been admitted into the 
Union as a State, there was no law which could 
have compelled him to serve in the army. 

Many and interesting are the tales which Mr. 
Burow can relate of pioneer days of Pawnee County. 
The first grain which he raised was transported to 
Nebraska City, the nearest market, and he was 
obliged to repair to Brownville for groceries, a 
journey occupying from two to eight days. This 
trip he at first made with a yoke of yearling steers 
through snow several inches deep, and all he was 
able to liny upon that occasion was two sacks of 
flour. For several years afterward the nearest mill 
was Blacklaw's, eight miles from him, the home 
of his nearest neighbor, and in order to get there 
he was obliged to ford the Nemaha, there being no 
bridge. Upon one occasion, while crossing the 
river with lumber, his wagon was capsized and his 
lumber floated into the water, while he came near 
losing his life. Later he had the satisfaction of 
assisting to build the first bridge on the Nemaha. 
When he came here there was not a bridge in the 
precinct. Shortly after his first settlement he pur- 
Chased of a friend a yoke of cattle for -slim on 
lime. These he employed in transporting produce 
to Nebraska City. Not long afterward one of the 
animals lost its hoof and had to be shot. This was 
only an illustration of the difficulties ami discour- 
agements which beset our pioneer. 

Afterward Mr. BurOW and his brother purchased 
for *:>>(>(> a span of marcs, one of which was acci- 
dentally killed. He was then $400 in debt for one 
horse and one ox. for which he had not even been 
required to give a note. The people, trusting to 
his honesty, permitted him to keep his land, which 
might have been taken to liquidate these debts. 
Upon the heels of these disasters came the grass- 






i k MO 



■•^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4 



hopper plague, and it would seem that almost any 
ordinary man would have packed up his merchan- 
dise and sought another country. Mr. Burow, 
however, had come to stay, and determined to see 
the end. Time has developed to what a wise issue 
his judgment led him. He is now not only in the 
enjoyment of a snug fortune, but is a man univer- 
sally esteemed for his high character. 

Gottfried Burow was born May 12, 1829, in the 
Prussian Province of Pomerania, and lived there 
until a man of twenty-seven years. Upon emi- 
grating to America he first settled in Jefferson 
County. Wis., where he operated a farm two years, 
then came to Nebraska. In this region he found a 
wife, being married July 10, 1872, to Miss Louisa 
Frank, who was born March 20, 1856, in the Prov- 
ince of Pomerania, Prussia, and came to Nebraska 
with her parents in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. B. began 
life together on the pioneer farm in this county, 
and in due time became the parents of eight chil- 
dren, who were named respectively: Ernest E., 
William. Charles, Minnie, August, George, Gott- 
fried and Luther. They are all living, and present 
an interesting family group which is pleasant to 
look upon. They are being the recipients of a 
practical education, and will make good and relia- 
ble citizens, a credit to the name of their honored 
father. 

Gottfried Burow, Sr., father of our subject, was 
a native of the Province of Pomerania, German}*. 
a sturdy, honest, hard-working man, who provided 
comfortably for his family, and fulfilled life's du- 
ties in a quiet and unobtrusive manner, content to 
make little stir in the world. Both he and his ex- 
cellent wife spent their entire lives on their native 
soil, and both died the fall before their son Gott- 
fried sailed for America. 

"" • '1 * ^1 ' ^ * ^' **°' " 

US. POLLY HACHENBERG. The fine 
farm owned and operated by the lady with 
whose name we introduce this sketch, and 
which is located on section 4, Plum Creek 
Precinct, invariably attracts the attention of the 
passerby. The thorough and skillful manner in 
which it has been conducted is a matter of com- 
-*> 




ment from all the country around. Mrs. Ilachen- 
berg, since the decease of her husband, has managed 
the estate with rare ability, maintaining its former 
reputation and increasing its value year by year. 
She possesses intelligence and refinement in a 
marked degree, and lias the true conception of life 
in the country, and the manner in which a farm 
should be conducted. Her observations of life 
have been extended and liberal, and she is a lady 
who has learned well from a varied experience, 
losing no opportunity to acquire valuable infor- 
mation, whether in regard to business matters, to 
farm life, or the more delicate and gentle things 
connected with human existence. 

Mrs. Hachenberg is the daughter of an excellent 
family, her parents having been Dr. James and 
Sally (Sheffield) McNutt, the former a native of 
New York State, and the latter of Ohio. Her pa- 
ternal grandfather, James McNutt, also a native of 
New York, traced his ancestry to the North of Ire- 
land, the family having been one of those who fled 
to that region from Scotland on account of relig- 
ious persecution. Grandfather McNutt upon leav- 
ing his native place settled upon a tract of land in 
Geauga County, Ohio, where he was one of the 
leading pioneers, and where he spent his last days. 
The maternal grandfather ivas John Sheffield, like- 
wise born in the Empire State, and of English de- 
scent. He, too, was a pioneer of the Buckeye State, 
and died in Geauga County. 

James McNutt. the father of our subject, was but 
a boy when his parents removed from his native 
State to Ohio, and he afterward lived in both Knox 
and Delaware Counties, owning finally in the latter 
a farm of 100 acres. In 1851 he sold out and 
started for the country beyond the Mississippi, 
making the journey overland with a team, and 
pitching his tent in Allamakee County, Iowa, of 
which he was one of the early settlers. He improved 
a good farm, but, perhaps like Daniel Boone, felt 
pressed for room as the country became populated, 
and pushed on toward the frontier to this county, 
homesteading a tract of land in Miles Precinct. 
With this and the amount he purchased he was 
subsequently owner of 320 acres, and upon this he 
spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 
1871. The mother survived her husband until 



*r 



•►J^ 



l'AWNKK COUNTY. 



— a* 
541 



*- 



1875, dying at the age of sixty-eight years. Both 
were members of the United Brethren Church. Iu 
connection with farming the father practiced medi- 
cine for a period of twenty years. Their nine chil- 
dren were named respectively: Polly, Mrs. H.; 
Samuel. Cordelia anil Mary; the three latter are 
deceased; Clorinda, a resident of this state; Lorana, 
who died in Nebraska; Sarah. James and Caroline. 

The subject of our sketch was horn in Geauga 
County. Ohio. June 22, 1826, and was eleven years 
old when her parents removed to Delaware County, 
where she was reared to womanhood. She accom- 
panied the family to Iowa, and in 1844 was mar- 
ried to Mr. Hiram Hachenberg. This gentleman 
was the eldest child of Jacob and Mary (Knouse) 
Hachenberg. natives of Pennsylvania, and of (ier- 
man descent. They removed to Lagrange County. 
End., at an early day. where they spent the remain- 
der of their lives. Mr. Hachenberg was born in 
Pennsylvania, May 20, 1818, and was quite young 
when his parents removed to Indiana, where he was 
reared to manhood, lie served as a private through 
the entire Mexican War. He then went to Allama- 
kee County. Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of 
land, from which he constructed a good farm. 
Later he removed to Benton, in Wright County, 
but finally returned to Allamakee, about the time 
of the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1862 he en- 
listed, and thereafter participated in some of the 
most important battles of the war — Chattanooga, 
Nashville, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and 
the siege of Yieksburg. and marched with Sherman 
to the sea, lighting before Atlanta — in fact going 
through the entire war. and was mustered out in 
the spring of 1865. His record was similar to that 
of thousands of others, prolific with hardships and 
privations, which were borne with soldierly courage 
anil fortitude. 

On receiving his honorable discharge from the 
army, Mr. Hachenberg resumed farming in lou.i. 
where he continued until tin- fall of 1867. He then 
determined to cast his lot among the pioneers of 
this county, and accordingly migrated hither over- 
land with a team, bringing with him his family. 
crossing the Missouri at Brownville, and home- 
steading a tract of land on Wolf Creek, in Plum 
r Creek Precinct. In due time he added forty acres 



to the quarter-Section he had first -elected, ami 
upon this farm he effected most of the improve- 
ments which the passerby views to-day with admir- 
ing eye. He set out groves and orchards, put up a 
substantial dwelling, a good barn and other neces- 
sary buildings, enclosed his Gelds, and cross-fenced 
them with hedge and wire, and brought the soil to 
a line state of cultivation. Later he engaged suc- 
cessfully in stock-raising, lie died Sept. 22. 1*77. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Hachenberg there came a bright 
and interesting family of ten children, of whom 
George, Hiram, Adeline and John are deceased; 
Mary is the wife of George Strockey, who is en- 
gaged in the grocery trade at Beatrice; Sarah. Mrs. 
John Ilaining. lives with her husband on a farm on 
Sardine Creek; James is married, and farming iu 
Ness County. Kan.; Lizzie is the wife of Webster 
Cole, a well-to-do farmer of Washington Territory ; 
Lucy remains at home with her mother; l'.essie is 
the wife of A. Summers, of Washington Territory. 
Mr. Hachenberg uniformly voted the Republican 
ticket, and was a member of the State Grange. 




-^g-4-^ 



ALEIS HITCHCOCK. Notwithstanding the 
forbidding elements of frontier life during 
the early settlement of Nebraska Territory, 
there drifted to it man}- men of admirable qualities, 
just such men as were needed to develop its re- 
sources and bring it to its present state. In making 
mention of these, the name of Caleb Hitchcock 
cannot very properly be left out of the category. 
Although an individual quiet and unobtrusive in 
his life, he has made his impress among the agri- 
cultural interests of Clay Precinct, and has con- 
structed one of its most creditable homesteads. A 
man honest and upright in his dealings, he pos- 
sesses in a marked degree the solid respect and es- 
teem of his neighbors, while his industry has placed 
him upon a sound footing financially. 

In looking back to the source from which our 
subject sprang, we find that he i.- the sou of Lucieu 

Hitclit k. and that his paternal grandfather. Isaac 

Hitchcock, was a native of Maryland, where he was 
reared to man's estate and married, and where his 
son Lucieu was born. Later the familv all emi- 



•Hfcr*: 



•+z*h+ 



"if* 



' > 542 



4 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



grated to Perry County, Ohio, during the early 
manhood of Lucien, settling upon a tract of land 
from which they constructed a homestead, where 
Grandfather Hitchcock and his estimable wife spent 
their last days. Lucien was married in Perry 
County to Miss Penelope Marshall, who bore him 
nine children, of whom Caleb, our subject, was the 
second. Of these six are still living. 

Caleb Hitchcock was reared to man's estate in his 
native county, becoming familiar with the various 
pursuits of farm life, and acquired his education in 
the district schools. He was united in marriage on 
the 9th of October, 1851. his bride being Miss Mary 
Brown. This lady was the daughter of Joseph and 
Ann (Kellev) Brown, the former of whom served 
as a drummer boy all through the War of 1812. 
Mr. Hitchcock continued farming in the Buckeye 
.State until 1853, then removed with his little 
family to Tazewell County. 111., where he sojourned 
and carried on agriculture until the fall of 1877. 
His next removal was to this county, and his first 
purchase was a farm one and one-half miles south 
of Pawnee City. He occupied this until 1884. then 
purchased a farm of 200 acres on section 15. which 
comprises his present homestead. He also has eighty 
acres located elsewhere in Clay Precinct. 

Mrs. Mary (Brown) Hitchcock departed this life 
at the homestead in Clay Precinct; Oct, 3. 1884. 
when a little over fifty years of age, having 
been born May 10, 1834. She had united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church when a maiden of 
seventeen years, in the faith of which she lived and 
died triumphantly. She was a lady possessing 
all the Christian virtues, and left a bereaved hus- 
band and six children to mourn their loss. Their 
eldest son, George W., is a resident of this county; 
Mary L. is the wife of Robert Cruse; Amanda E. 
is Mrs. Joseph P. Post: Sarah J. is the wife of Wal- 
ton Peterson; John M. is living at home; James F. 
died in infancy; Jacob A. is at home. Their first 
child died in infancy unnamed. 

On the 27th of June, 1886, Mr. Hitchcock con- 
tra' ted a second marriage, with Miss Jennie, daugh- 
ter of George W. and Charlotte (Hoops) Reed. The 
parents of this lady were natives of Perry County, 
Ohio, where also she was born April 4. 1856. Mrs. 
Reed departed this life in 1857. Mr. Reed is still 
-4* 



living, and a resident of Rawlins County, Kan. 
They were the parents of two children, both 
daughters. The elder sister of .Mrs. II. is Emma, 
wife of James Tannvhill. Mr. Reed was thrice 
married after the death of his firsl wife. 

In religious matters Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock are 
partial to the doctrines and observances of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, but as there is no 
society of that denomination convenient to them 
they identified themselves with the United Brethren. 
Mr. Hitchcock, politically, is a firm supporter of 
Republican principles. 



^)EV. ROBERT J. McCREADY, pastor of 
the United Presbyterian Church, and a man 

i\\ greatly in favor with his people and the 
^"community generally, is a native of that 
part of Beaver County, Pa., which is now New 
Galilee, and was born Feb. 14, 1840. In the fam- 
ily of his parents, Hugh and Agnes (Sharp) Mc- 
Cready, there were six children, three sons and 
three daughters, Robert J. being the fourth in or- 
der of birth. The parents were both natives of the 
Keystone State, where they spent their entire lives, 
making their home in the agricultural districts. 
The father was a plain and industrious farmer, and 
the parents reared their children to habits of indus- 
try and principles of honor. 

The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent 
among his native hills, and he pursued his studies 
in the district school until approaching the age of 
eighteen years, when he emigrated to Ohio and en- 
tered Franklin College, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1865. Later we find him a student of the 
Theological Seminary at Xenia, where he spent four 
years, and was ordained by the Presl>3tery at 
Wheeling. In the spring of 1869 he came to Paw- 
nee City and took charge of what was at that 
time a mission consisting of nine members. By his 
devoted efforts he has brought it up to a society of 
355 members, which circumstance is sufficient 
proof of the industry and fidelity with which he 
has labored. The church edifice which they now 
occupy was put up in 1884, and forms a place of 




•►HH^ 



■^M. 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



543 



resort for a large number of people outside of the 
regular members. 

Rev. Robert MeCready was united in marriage 
with Miss Maggie E. Yost, of Harrison County, 
Ohio, Dec. 29, 1870. Mrs. MeCready was born in 
that county, March 11, 1848, and is the daughter 
of Elias Yost, who is now in Harrisville, Ohio. 
Of this union there are six children, namely: Mag- 
gie 1)., Mary E., Carrie J., Eva G., Lizzie M. and 
Lucy V. The church and parsonage are located in 
the eastern part of the city, and the latter is fre- 
quented by its most cultivated people. 

During the late war Mr. MeCready served two 
years and three months in the defense of his coun- 
try, going into service at the beginning of the 
struggle as a member of Company K, 10th Penn- 
sylvania Reserve Corps, attached to the Army of 
the Potomac, and participated in the campaign be- 
fore Richmond until disabled by exposure. He 
received his honorable discharge in Virginia, Aug. 
2G, 1863. 




ON. W. J. HALDERMAN, Cashier and 
part proprietor of the Burchard Bank, a 
man of conspicuous ability, large enter- 
\s* prise, keen perception, vigorous thought 
and unblemished character. has played a conspicuous 
part in the upbuilding of Pawnee County, and to- 
day stands among the foremost citizens in business 
and social circles, lie won an enviable military 
record in the late war. and as a legislator and civic 
officer since becoming a resident of Nebraska has 
again gained distinction. 

.Mr. Halderman is a native of Pennsylvania, born 
in Butler County. April 13. 1840. Mis father, 
whose given name was Samuel, was horn iii Center 
County, the same State, in 1803, ami that was also 
the birthplace of his mother, whose maiden name 
was Margaret Kohlmeyer. she having been born in 
1806. His paternal grandfather, who was a native 
of Germany, came to America in early manhood 
and cast in his lot with the pioneer fanner- of 
Center County. Pa., and was instrumental in open- 
ing up the country and developing its agriculture, 
and there he finally died at an extreme old 
George Kohlmeyer, the maternal grandfather of our 



subject, was born in Hanover. Germany, and was a 
soldier in one of the German wars, receiving atone 
time a sword thrust through the shoulder, which 
came near ending his life. After leaving the army 
he turned his attention to farming, and eventually 
emigrated to America, where he engaged in the 
same occupation in Center County. Pa. He subse- 
quently moved to Butler County, in the same State. 
and there his life was closed at the advanced age 
of eighty-live years. 

The father of our subject was reared to the life 
of a farmer on his father s homestead, and received 
but limited school advantages, lie was married in 
his native county, and there began farming on his 
own account, eliminating a farm from the primeval 
forests. In 1833 he moved with his family to But- 
ler County, and carried on agricultural pursuits 
there, hewing out another farm from the wilderness, 
said farm comprising 200 acres. lie spent his last 
days in Butler County, rounding out an honorable 
and lengthy life in 1883, his wife following him 
the succeeding year. They were exemplary Chris- 
tians, esteemed members of the Lutheran Church. 
and people who were thought very highly of by 
the many friends whom they gathered around them 
during their sojourn of fifty years in Butler County. 
They were the parents of the following children: 
Mary, Dan. Jackson, Catherine, Wash. Nancy 
(dead). Ellen, W. J., John (dead). Sarah. Euphemia. 
Finlev (dead.) Wash was in the war for a short 
time, enlisting from Ohio. 

Our subject was reared on the old homestead in 
Pennsylvania, which hail been his birthplace. His 
educational privileges were confined to attendance 
at the winter schools, lie remained at home until 
after the breaking out of the war. lie was then 
just entering upon manhood, and in September, 
1861, he threw aside all personal aims, his one ambi- 
tion being a desire to serve his country in her hour 
of peril, and enlisted in the 11th Pennsylvania In- 
fantry. Company C, 3d Brigade, 3d Division. 5th 
Army Corps. Army of the Potomac, and was mus- 
tered in al CampTenally. His regimen! was dis- 
patched to Virginia, and there took part in many 
important engagements, as follows: Drainesville, 
the seven-days light in front of Richmond, the bat- 
tle of MechanicBville, that of Gaines' Mills, etc. 




*r 



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■^Hh* 



544 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



~f 



In the second day of the battle at Gaines' Mills, our 
subject was wounded through the left leg above 
the knee, and, with the rest of his regiment, taken 
prisoner, and sent to Libby Prison, Richmond. 
June 28, 1862. lie was confined there sixty days, 
and had to dress his wound and bandage it every 
day, there being no competent surgeon. At the 
expiration of that time he was sent to Baltimore 
and exchanged, and joining his regiment at South 
Mountain, took an active part in that battle, and 
was also in the engagement the next day at Antle- 
tam. In the battle of Fredericksburg he was again 
wounded, a ball penetrating through the left hip, 
and he was sent to the hospital at Washington to 
recruit. In four months' time he was able to join 
his regiment, and did so at Munson's Hill. His 
regiment was then dispatched to guard the railway 
at Vienna, Va.,and for several months was engaged 
in skirmishing with the guerrillas. Our subject 
and his comrades then accompanied the army into 
Pennsylvania, in pursuit of Gen. Lee and his men, 
and the}' took a conspicuous part in the battle of 
Gettysburg during the three days that that famous 
conflict was waged, and our subject's brigade held 
Little Round Top against the assaults of the enemy. 
In July, 1863, the}' crossed the Rapidan and en- 
gaged in the battle of Mine Run. and were also 
present at the second battle of Bull Run. They 
had an engagement with the rebels at Bristol Sta- 
tion, and our subject fought gallantly in the battles 
of the Wilderness, and was a participator in the 
various skirmishes that took place every day on the 
march to Richmond. He was present at the siege 
of Petersburg and did efficient service. His term 
of enlistment expired in September, 1864, and our 
subject, who went into the arm}' as a private, and 
by the exercise of courage and other qualities that 
mark the true soldier, had climbed up from the 
ranks through the different grades to the rank of 
Second Lieutenant, was honorably discharged and 
retired to private life. He returned to his Penn>\ 1- 
vania home and engaged as a clerk in a dry -goods 
store for a short time, until he should determine 
what course in life to pursue. In 1866 he decided 
to try his fortunes in the West, and removing to 
Illinois, established himself in the grocery business 
in Mendota, and subsequently engaged in the same 

*• 



at Yates City. In the spring of 1867 he went to 
Kansas, and buying 160 acres of wild land in 
Douglas County, began to improve a farm, and re- 
mained there for one year. He then retraced his 
steps eastward as far as Leetonia, Ohio, where he 
operated a general store for a year. In 1869 he 
once more turned his face westward, and coming 
b}' rail, located in Nebraska, in Mission Creek Pre- 
cinct, and putting up a store, stocked it with general 
merchandise. He did well at that, and while still 
managing his store, bought 320 acres of wild land 
on section 25, and entered upon its improvement. 
In 1873 lie sold his business to Mr. Walker and 
took up his residence on his farm, and continued to 
improve it, and extensively engaged in agriculture 
and stock-raising. 

Mr. Halderman had been a resident of Pawnee 
County but a few years before he became well and 
favorably known by the people through his politi- 
cal affiliations, he being an active member of the 
Republican party, and a delegate occasionally to 
County and State Conventions, and in 1876 his 
fellow-citizens elected him to represent them in the 
Sixteenth Nebraska Legislature. He served two 
years, and during this term Senator Saunders was 
sent to Washington. Our subject showed himself 
to be a wise and patriotic statesman, who earnestly 
and unselfishly sought the highest good of his 
adopted State. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Halderman 
being elected County Treasurer, sold his farm 
and moved to Pawnee City, and established his 
residence there during his term of office, which ex- 
tended to 1885. He then removed to Burchard, and 
buying an interest in the Burchard Bank, became 
cashier, and has carried on banking ever since. He 
is an extensive stockholder in the bank, and his con- 
nection with it, in company with the other officials, 
gives it a high standing among the monetary insti- 
tutions of Pawnee County. Mr. Halderman is also 
engaged in farming, paying special attention to 
raising blooded stock, having a pedigreed herd of 
thirty Short-horns, besides raising hogs. His farm 
of eighty acres is finely located just outside of the 
town, on section 7, Miles Precinct, which prop- 
erty he improved himself. 

The marriage of our subject to Miss Ida Fulton 
took place in Pawnee City, Sept. 10, 1869, and of 



■+Zl^+ 



■** 



^h-«i 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



545 



their happy wedded life three children have been 
born, namely: Fulton, Finley W. and Charles W. 
M is. Halderman was born in Harrison County ,Iowa, 
received a superior education, and was engaged in 
teaching before her marriage. 

In the perusal of this sketch it will be seen that 
Mr. Halderman, as an excellent financier and a 
wide-awake business man, hag done much to estab- 
lish the material prosperity of Pawnee County on 
a solid basis, and this is especially true of the vil- 
lage of Burchard, of which he may be considered 
one of the founders. He has erected here one of 
the finest buildings in the western part of the county, 
and has in other wa}'s encouraged local enterprise. 
Besides the offices mentioned, he has been Assessor, 
Postmaster, etc. He belongs to the A. (). V . W. at 
Pawnee City, and to the G. A. R. of the same 
place. Both he and his wife are influential mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and they liberally 
contribute to its support and to all good causes 
that come under their notice. 



ICIIARD McDONALD. The elegant resi- 
dence constituting the home of this gentle- 
(Aitt\ man. and the manner in which he is spoken 
\^||of by the people who have known him, lo, 
these many years, indicate him to be a man of more 
than ordinary capacities, both in connection, with 
his business career, and as a citizen. He retired 
from the active labors of farm life in L887, and is 
numbered among the prominent men of Burchard 
and vicinity, who have been instrumental in the 
growth and development of this county. He owns 
a line farm in Plum Creek Precinct, and has valua- 
ble property elsewhere. In 1887 he was elected 
Justice of the Peace, and is still holding the office, 
besides occupying other positions of trust, and 
respi msibility. 

The ancestry of our subject is one of which he 
may well be proud. The first representative of the 
family whose record has been preserved was Rod- 
erick McDonald, of Scotland, who was a man of 
wealth and importance in his native shire, where it 
is probable he spent liis entire life. Among his 
descendants was Patrick .McDonald, the paternal 



grandfather of our subject, and who occupied his 
castle at Bennett's Bridge, in County Kilkenny. 
Ireland — the McDonalds, like many others of that 
time, having been obliged to flee from their native 
country on account of religious persecution, set- 
tling in the North of Ireland. He spent his entile 
life afterward in County Kilkenny. There also his 
son Michael, the father of our subject, was born 
and reared. He married Miss Bridget Mahar, a 
native of the same county, ami the daughter of 
Lieut. Patrick Mahar. who served in the Yeoman 
Cavalry. Later he became a large land-owner. 
and died in 184'J, when nearby one hundred years 
old. 

The father of our subject was reared in his na- 
tive county, and engaged in wholesale merchandis- 
ing, dealing largely in wool, tallow, pork and Hour. 
He died in 1841, at the age of forty-eight years, 
in his native county. The mother kept her little 
family together, and seven years later emigrated to 
America, settling in Norwich, Conn., where she 
spent the remainder of her days, passing away in 
1858, at the age of sixty years. Of her children. 
nine in number, three are deceased — Thomas. 
Bridget and Patrick. The survivors are — Margaret. 
Mary, Ellen, Anastasia, Patrick (2d) and Richard. 
Our subject, the youngest child of his parents. 
was born, like them, in County Kilkenny. Ireland. 
Nov. 12, 1831). He was a lad of nine years when 
his mother emigrated to America, and he remem- 
bers many of the incidents connected therewith, 
especially the long voyage on the sailing-vessel 
"Old Harmony," which conveyed them from Liv- 
erpool to New York City, the voyage occupying 
six weeks. He attended the common schools in 
Norwich, Conn., and at an early age began an ap- 
prenticeship at stone-cutting, which he followed 
until the outbreak of the Rebellion. Although 
then but twenty-two years of age, he entered the 
service, enlisting in Company B, 9th Connecticut 
Infantry, being mustered in at Ship Island. After 
a few minor engagements with the enemy, he par- 
ticipated in the capture of New Orleans, and later 
did garrison duty around the city. He subse- 
quently joined the army of (Jen. Butler, going to 
Vicksburg, ami being present throughout the siege 
of that city. Later he was in the fight at Grand 




ami 1 



4= 



54G 



pawnee county. 



■*Hh* 



Gulf and Baton Rouge, which witnessed the defeat 
of the rebel General, Breckinridge, then embarked 
with the Red River expedition. At the expiration 
of his first term of enlistment be veteranized, was 
given a brief furlough, and in the spring of 18G3 
rejoined bis regiment in Mississippi. He afterward 
fought at Petersburg, Va., and skirmished along 
the James River, meeting the rebels at Deep Bot- 
tom, Strawberry Plains, and in other minor engage- 
ments. He went up and down the valley of the 
Shenandoah with Gen. Sheridan, and was afterward 
at the battle of Winchester and Fisher's Hill, later 
skirmishing around Perryville and other unim- 
portant points. At Fisher's Hill be was wounded 
by a minie ball, although not seriously. Later 
bis command was sent to Baltimore on garrison 
duty, and at the time of Lee's surrender was in 
Savannah, Ga. 

Mr. McDonald was mustered out of the service 
at Hilton Head, S. C, and shortly afterward re- 
ceived his honorable discbarge. He returned to 
New Haven, Conn., taking up his residence in Nor- 
wich, and resumed work at his trade of stone-cutting, 
being soon promoted to the position of over- 
seer of a company of men. Two years later we find 
him on bis way to Nebraska. He reached Omaha 
by rail, and was employed on the stone work of the 
Union Pacific Railroad Bridge, at Omaha, assisting 
to lay with bis own hands the first stone of the 
structure, ninety feet below low water mark, with 
an air pressure of thirty-five pounds. When this 
structure was completed, he was promoted to the 
post of overseer in laying and cutting stone at 
Omaha, which he occupied about three years. He 
remained in the employ of this company in all a 
period of eleven years. 

In 1877, changing his occupation somewhat, Mr. 
McDonald entered the employ of Tootle, Maul ifc 
Co., as receiving clerk, remaining with them nine 
years, and in the meantime became interested some- 
what in real estate. In 1886 he took up his resi- 
dence on his farm in Plum Creek Precinct, this 
comprising 1 GO acres on section 9. Upon this he 
has made all the improvements which we see to-day, 
and which comprises a good set of buildings, neat 
and substantial fences, and other modern appli- 
ances of the successful agriculturist. The land is 

-+• 



finely located and watered by Plum Creek. Mr. 
McDonald has been for several years engaged in 
the breeding of fine horses and cattle, having of 
the latter usually about eight head, including some 
fine specimens of the equine race. In his cattle 
operations he has reason to be proud of bis 
achievements. 

In 1880 Mr. McDonald purchased ground in the 
city of Burcbard, where he put up a very hand- 
some residence, and also a store building. He had 
been married, in 18G9, in Norwich. Conn., to Miss 
Mary Duffy, a native of bis own county in Ireland, 
and who died at their home in Omaha. March 17, 
1883. Mr. McDonald, in February, 1885, con- 
tracted a second marriage, with Miss Eliza Carver, 
a native of Connecticut, and born in 1852. He 
was elected Justice of the Peace in 1887, and has 
been a member of the Town Board for some time. 
He was reared in the Catholic faith, and remains 
loyal to his early training. He is a Trustee and 
Treasurer of bis church at Burcbard. Politically. 
he is a strong Republican, and labors industriously 
as opportunity offers for the interests of his party. 
Socially, he belongs to the G. A. R., of Omaha. 

Our subject organized a company of 112 men, 
and went to Canada and took pari in the battle of 
Ridgway, under Gen. O'Neal, and has always been 
identified with the liberal movement. 



— s-i-fsscH^:— 




IIEODORE HALL. There is no question 
that farm property proves one of the best 
investments which a man can make of his 
labor and capital. It cannot take wings and fly 
away, or be carried off by the bank cashier. The 
subject of this sketch has evidently adhered to this 
idea, and he has been amply rewarded in conse- 
quence thereof. He is now in the enjoyment of a 
snug homestead, pleasantly located on section 34, 
Table Rock Precinct, comprising forty acres of 
carefully cultivated land, and substantial buildings. 
He has operated upon the plan of Horace Gree- 
ley, that a moderate amount of soil thoroughly 
cultivated will yield to its possessor f ull3' as good 
results as a large farm partially neglected. 

Our subject first set foot upon the soil of Ne- 

•► 



r 



3 




^ 







*tt 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



549 



braska in the spring of 18G6, settling with his par- 
ents upon a tract of new land in the vicinity of 
Brownrille. They sojourned there about thirteen 
years, battling with the elements of a new soil, 
then removed to a point near Humboldt, living 
there also thirteen years. At this latter place 
Theodore attained his majority, and completed his 
education in the Brownville school. Afterward he 
worked at his father's farm until his marriage, 
which occurred Feb. 1, 1883. The lady of his 
choice was Miss Isabella Reiser. They settled upon 
a farm three miles west of Humboldt, where they 
lived four years. They are the parents of one 
child, a son, Roy EL, who was born Nov. 9, 1883. 
Mr. Hall, in addition to general farming, gives 
considerable attention to the raising of grain, and 
has effected good improvements on his place, put- 
ting up a neat and substantial residence, and add- 
ing from lime to time the other structures necessary 
for his convenience. 

Mr. Hall is a native of Atchison County, Mo., 
and was born Dec. 19, 1801, living there with his 
parents until coming to Nebraska. He is the son 
of Charlton Hall, a native of Bureau County, 111., 
who removed earl}' in life to Missouri, where he 
married Miss Zuritha Plasters; they became the 
parents of eight children, and the father carried on 
farming the greater part of his life, until about 1 885, 
when he retired from active labor, and now makes 
his home in Humboldt. He still retains ownership 
of his farm property, owning land both in Pawnee 
and Richardson Counties. 

The wife of our subject was born in Morgan 
County, 111., Sept. 12, 1860, where her parents lived 
until she was a child five years of age. They then 
came to this county, and for a period of twenty-three 
years have lived within five miles of Table Rock. 
Mr. and Mrs. Reiser began housekeeping in a log 
house, which they occupied a year, until they 
could put up a more modern dwelling. Mrs. Hall 
in her childhood days walked three miles to school, 
before the organization of a district near her father's 
homestead, after which she finished her studies 
there, obtaining a good education. 

Mr. Hall, politically, was born and reared under 
the wing of the Democratic party, but has very 
little to do with politics, and prefers that some 



other man should assume the responsibilities of 
office. His close attention to his farming interests 
has not only been a benefit to himself, but the 
land which he has developed has thus much en- 
hanced the real-estate value of Table Rock Pre- 
cinct. He has pursued the even tenor of his way 
as a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, encouraging 
worthy enterprises, and giving his influence to 
those which would result in the best good of the 
community around him. He is comparatively a 
young man, and has obtained a good start on the 
highway to prosperity. 



-*•£-- 



ffiOHN FLANAGIN. There are those in 
every community who will be leaders in 
spite of circumstances, drawbacks and diffi- 
culties. The gentleman whose name heads 
this biographical sketch may be most properly men- 
tioned as one of this class, as through his own un- 
aided efforts he has arisen to a high position, 
socially and financially. He owns and occupies a 
valuable farm property in Clay Precinct, and is 
widely and favorably known throughout this sec- 
tion of country. 

The man of intelligence, whenever possible, pre- 
serves the record of his ancestry, as having no 
little bearing upon his own life and the estimation 
in which he is held by his fellowmen. There have. 
in various instances, been circumstances which 
prevented this, and in such a case it is always a 
matter of regret to the thoughtful and observant 
individual. We gather from the record of the 
Flanagin family that our subject's father and pater- 
nal grandfather were each given the name of James, 
and both were born in New Jersey. Upon reach- 
ing manhood the latter was married to a Miss Mary 
Harris, and they reared a family of eight children, 
namely: James, Jr.. the father of our subject-; 
Noah, Thomas, John, Gideon. Harris; Sarah, who 
married Joseph Shepherd, and Mary Ann, who lie- 
came the wife of Joseph finest. Grandfather 
Flanagin was a farmer by occupation, and reared 
his sons and daughters in love of agricultural pur- 

*► 



4= 



4— 
550 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4- 



4 



suits,, which they followed until called from earth's 
duties. 
' James Flanagin, Jr., was reared on the home 
farm with his parents, in New Jersey, but when 
approaching manhood learned the cabinet-maker's 
trade, at which he worked a period of ten years. 
After this, however, he fell into the habits of his 
ancestors, and taking up agriculture, was thus oc- 
cupied until his earthly labors were ended. lie was 
married in Cumberland County, N. J., to Miss Mary 
Harris. They lived in that county until their de- 
cease, the father passing away in 1859, and the 
mother twelve years later, in 1871. They also 
were the parents of eight children, all of whom 
lived to mature years, having been named respect- 
ively: James, Harris, Jacob, John; Rachel, who 
became the wife of James Glaspey; Elizabeth, 
Mrs. 'William Dare; Mary A., the wife of Alford 
Mumford, and Hannah. 

John Flanagin, our subject, was reared and 
educated in New Jersey, of which he, like his 
father and grandfather, was a native, having been 
born there Feb. 12, 1835. Ambitious and thought- 
ful beyond his years, he started for the West in the 
fall of 1858. his objective point being Nebraska 
Territory. Upon coming to this county he pre- 
empted 160 acres of land, which is included in his 
present farm. His first dwelling was a structure 
sixteen feet square, built of round logs, with clap- 
board roof and floor of cottonwood lumber. The 
cracks were covered by nailing boards over them 
and between the logs. This served as a shelter dur- 
ing the summer months which followed, but in the 
fall Mr. Flanagin dug a cellar, walled it up firmly, 
and built over it a plank roof. He occupied this 
something over a year, then removing the roof, 
built a house over it, this latter being now one of 
the most substantial and attractive dwellings in the 
precinct. The farm embraces 520 acres, thoroughly 
improved, the greater part devoted to grain- 
raising, and the balance to pasture. 

It is nearly twenty-eight years since was cele- 
brated the marriage of John Flanagin and Miss 
Sarah J. Rogers, Ma}' 0, 1861, being the dale. 
This lady comes from an excellent family, being 
the daughter of Hon. and Rev. P. M. Rogers, who 
was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 



and also a member of the Nebraska Legislature. 
A record of his earnest and useful life will be 
found on another page in this volume. Mr. and 
Mrs. Flanagin commenced the journey of life 
together in this State, and they now have a family 
of six children, namely: James. Seward, Marcus, 
Lewis, Mary and Sadie. In giving a proper super- 
vision to his extensive farming interests, Mr. 
Flanagin has naturally had little time to devote to 
politics, but he keeps himself well informed, and 
independent of political parties, aims to support 
the men best qualified to serve the interests of the 
people. He has never been an office-seeker, although 
serving as Assessor of Clay Precinct two terms. 
He has watched with warm interest the growth and 
development of Pawnee County, and in the con- 
struction of one of its most valuable homesteads 
has contributed this much to its importance. He 
is a man whose opinions are held in respect, and 
one who exerts no small influence in social and 
business circles. His accumulations are the result 
of downright hard work, together with good man- 
agement, and he has little use for the drones in the 
world's great hive. 

Portraits of this prominent and leading citizen 
of Clay Precinct and his estimable wife are printed 
on an adjoining page. 



Tp£i PHRAIM WHEELER. In the world's great 
ife) hive of industry some are leaders and some 
/j j — -2} are followers. Some are only fitted for the 
latter, while others will be found in the front ranks, 
despite all the drawbacks which may assail them. To 
this latter element is the world indebted for its prog- 
ress, for no man can labor and contrive success- 
fully without his operations having a material bear- 
ing upon the condition of those about him. These 
thoughts are involuntarily brought forth in review- 
ing the career of the subject of this history, who is 
one of the go-ahead men of Pawnee County, one 
of those who is not to be kept under as long as 
there is a top to gain. 

A pioneer of 1866, Ephraim Wheeler came to 
that part of Table Rock Precinct which is now 
Sheridan, and homesteaded 160 acres of land on 



*•" 






4= 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



551 ih 



*f 



section 15, to which he has given his special atten- 
tion, making it the place of abode for himself and 
family. Later he purchased eighty acres on sec- 
tion 23. The whole of this land was unimproved, 
there being neither a tree, a fence nor a building 
upon it. Having to hire a team, he broke only five 
acres the first season, which was all he could afford 
to pay for, and that same year made for his dwell- 
ing a cellar of stone, covering it closely, and thus 
securing a warm, dry place for himself and family, 
in which they lived comfortably for five years. He 
effected one improvement after another as rapidly 
as his means would allow, and purchased his first 
team in the fall of 1808, a yoke of oxen. In the 
meantime he worked for his neighbors, helping 
them to put in their crops, and they in turn assisted 
him by loaning their teams to him. His first crop 
of wheat comprised three acres, from which he real- 
ized very plentifully. He secured 105 bushels, 
which provided him with bread and seed for the 
next year. 

The season following Mr. Wheeler sowed eleven 
acres in wheat, and from this he harvested 300 
bushels, and after reserving what was required for 
the use of the family, exchanged the balance for an- 
other yoke of oxen. The nearest market for the 
pioneer farmers of Table Rock Precinct at that time 
was at Brownville, forty miles from the farm of 
Mr. Wheeler. Money was scarce, and provisions 
were high, and the family maintained themselves as 
much as possible on the products of their farm, do- 
ing without the luxury of groceries. In due time 
our subject had raised a couple of steers, and was 
thus enabled to proceed with the cultivation of his 
land until having the whole of it under the plow. 
He enclosed his farm with fencing, set out an or- 
chard and a good grove of forest trees, besides the 
smaller fruits, including cherries, plums and grapes; 
gathered maple seeds along the Nemaha River 
which he planted, and it is hardly necessary to say 
was obliged to wait with patience several years be- 
fore the little shoots thus obtained could be digni- 
fied by the name of trees. 

The family in the meantime, in addition to the 
ordinary hardships and privations of pioneer life, 
were afflicted with the ague spring and fall for 
about seven years. Often the emigrants around 

<•■ : 



them would find the trial too great, and becoming 
homesick and discouraged, would throw up their 
claims and return whence they came. Those who 
persevered, however, like Mr. Wheeler, have now 
no regrets that they were enabled to adhere to their 
first resolution, lie, especially, has been fortunate, 
and is now the owner of a valuable farm, with all 
the necessary machinery, the live slock, and the 
various other appliances constituting the ideal conn- 
try home. 

The present family residence was completed in 
the fall of 1871, after considerable delay, Mr. 
Wheeler being obliged to proceed gradually as his 
means and time permitted. They moved into it 
when only the siding was on, and many a lime the 
father took his bed down into the cellar when the 
children were sick, sleeping on a table. The first 
winter living in the cellar they had in one end of 
it a good stove, and in the other made a lire on the 
ground, the smoke and sparks escaping though the 
straw roof. Mrs. Wheeler many a time washed her 
dishes when the ice would form from the drops of 
water on the table. When the weather became too 
severe, Mr. Wheeler with his family of nine would 
repair to a 10x12 shanty on the farm of William 
Fellers. The makeshifts of those days were as in- 
genious as they were numerous, and are far more en- 
tertaining in the relation than they were in the 
experience. 

After a few years Mr. Wheeler branched out into 
stock-raising, and in the course of time began to 
realize the reward of perseverance and industry. 
The first school-house was two miles from his farm, 
conducted in a building which he assisted to erect, 
and for many years he officiated as Director and 
Treasurer, only withdrawing from the position upon 
his removal to town, in October, 1886. He was 
then succeeded by his son, who now operates the 
old homestead. Mr. Wheeler, politically, is a Demo- 
crat of the old scl I, and from early manhood 

voted for every Democratic candidate for Presi- 
dent with the exception of Horace Greeley. He 
officiated as Road Supervisor several terms, but for 
the most part has avoided becoming an office-holder. 
He is a man who has learned well from a rich and 
varied experience, is a good financier, prompt to 
meet his obligations, and in all respects a model 



•►-Il^ 



552 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



*t 



citizen. In religious matters, he and his excellent 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

Columbia County, N. Y., was the early tramping 
ground of our subject, and where his birth took 
place July 8, 1822. He lived there until a young 
man of twenty-four years, receiving a practical edu- 
cation in the common school, and working with his 
father on the farm until his marriage. This im- 
portant event in his life occurred on the 31st of 
August, 1844, his bride being Miss Lucinda Fellers, 
and of this union there have been born eleven chil- 
dren. Nine of these lived to mature years, and 
eight still survive. Of these latter, Mary E. was 
born Sept. 9, 1840; William H., Aug. 19, 1848; 
James T., Jan. 4, 1852; Alida C, July 20, 1854; 
Alice C, June 7, 1856: Helen S„ Oct. 19, 1860; 
Andrew J., Feb. 25, 1864, and George W., Sept. 
25, 1866. Of the deceased, Cora M. was born Nov. 
6, 1868, and died at the age of eleven years and 
nine months; Erastus D. was born Aug. 11, 1858, 
and died when a little lad six years of age; Cathe- 
rine A., was born June 18, 1850, and died when 
one year and six months old. 

Mr. W. removed from New York to Pennsyl- 
vania in 1849, settling in Luzerne County, and liv- 
ing there until 1866. All but the two eldest chil- 
dren were born in the latter State, and the two 
youngest in Nebraska. Mr. Wheeler in Pennsyl- 
vania employed himself as a coal miner, but dis- 
liking this kind of labor, resolved to secure a farm 
in the West. Mrs. Lucinda (Fellers) Wheeler was 
born in Columbia County, N. Y., Sept. 3, 1825, and 
is the daughter of Phillip Fellers, who carried on 
farming first in that county, and then removed to 
Dutchess County. He was a native of New York, 
and married Miss Polly Ringsdorph, which union 
resulted in the birth of thirteen children. Eight 
of the thirteen children of whom Mr. Fellers was the 
father lived to mature years. Miss Ringsdorph 
was his third wife, and she survived her husband a 
number of years, her death taking place in New 
York State. Mr. Fellers died in Dutchess County 
about 1866. 

Andrew Wheeler, the father of our subject, was 
born in Columbia County, N. Y., where he was 
reared to manhood, and married Miss Catherine 



Ham of the same county. He also was the father 

of thirteen children, one of whom died at the age 
of fifteen years. He spent his entire life in his na- 
tive State, engaged in farming pursuits, and at- 
tained to the advanced age of eighty-one years, 
passing away in the year 1868. The wife and 
mother died about 1860, being eight or ten years 
younger than her husband. She was a consistent 
member of the Presbyterian Church. The eldest 
daughter living, Mary E.. is the wife of Daniel 
Hamblin, a carpenter of Burlington, Mo., where he 
also operates as a contractor and bridge builder; 
they have three children — Hettie, Edna and Es- 
tella. William H. married Miss Ellen Van Nor- 
man, and they live in Stella, this State; they have 
three children — Annetta, Esmond and Clarence. 
Alida C. married Edward Butler, of Atchison 
County, Mo., and is the mother of three children, one 
deceased ; Alice C. married W. D. Easley, of Falls 
City, Neb. ; Helen, Mrs. E. Shorts, is the mother 
of one boy, Charles, and lives in Wyandotte, Kan.; 
Andrew married Miss Ida Bates, is the father of 
two children, Cora M. and Clarence, and lives at 
the old homestead; George is unmarried and makes 
his home with his parents. These children all en- 
joyed the advantages of a good practical education, 
and have taken their places in life as worthy citi- 
zens. Mr. Wheeler has performed his part nobly 
in assisting to develop a portion of the primitive 
soil of Pawnee County, and now, amid the com- 
forts of a pleasant home, and surrounded by hosts 
of friends, is reaping the reward of a well-spent 
life. 



,*p^ AMUEL S. SHANNON. The various mem- 
^i£ bers of the Shannon family comprise some 
(11/)}) of the best elements which came to this 
count}' during its earlier days, and bore no 
unimportant part in bringing it to its present condi- 
tion Samuel S., our subject, is a retired farmer 
in good circumstances, and now making his home 
in Pawnee City. His career has been one to which 
his descendants may revert with pride in later 
years. 

The boyhood home of Mr. Shannon was in Giles 
County, Va., not far from Dublin, the county seat 



*•- 







PAW NEK COUNTY. 



553 ' ' 



-t 



of (Jiles County, where he was born Feb. 7, 1832, 
being the second in a family of live sons. The par- 
ents, Thomas R. and Sarah Ann (Allen) Shannon, 
were also natives of the Old Dominion, whence 
they emigrated to Indiana in the fall of 1834. 
The father selected a tract of land in Hendricks 
County and sojourned there a number of years and 
until September, 1859, when he started for the far- 
ther West with his family, and coining to this 
county t<H>k op 160 acres of land about two miles 
west of the present site of Pawnee City. It is 
hardly necessary to say that there was then little 
indication of the future town. Thomas Shannon 
was the first homesteader in the county, and upon 
the farm which he built up from the primitive soil 
he aud his excellent wife spent the remainder of 
their days. His decease took place in 1872, at the 
age of sixty-six years, and that of the mother seven 
years after, when she was seventy-six. 

Samuel Shannon, oar subject, was reared to man's 
estate in Hendricks County, Ind., and was given 
the advantages of the schools under a system most 
imperfectly developed. He remained a member of 
the parental household until reaching the twenty- 
fifth year of his age, then took to himself a wife 
and helpmate. Miss Mary M. Jones, to whom he 
was married in Hendricks County, Ind., in 1855. 
Mrs. Shannon was born and reared to woman- 
hood in that county, and was the daughter of Winn 
and Margaret Jones, who spent their last years in 
Indiana. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shan- 
non settled on a farm in Hendricks County, where 
they lived until the removal of the father's family 
to Nebraska, accompanying them hither. Our sub- 
ject took up eighty acres of land and homestead ed 
160 acres, the whole of which he improved, with 
good buildings, and brought the soil to a high state 
Of cultivation. In the meantime both he and his 
father fought the grasshopper scourge and the other 
difficulties which beset the pioneer settler. These 
ravenous insects ate up every green thing, leaving 
nothing behind them but the bare soil. 

Our subject sojourned on his farm until 1884, 
then wisely retired from active labor and took up 
his abode in Pawnee City. He occupies a neat and 
substantial residence of his own building, and wel- 
comes to his hospitable doors a host of friends. To 

4» 



him and his excellent wife were born four children, 
only two of whom are living. Sarah A. was mar- 
ried and died, leaving three children; Ollie 15. be- 
came the wife of Olen Frasier and died, leaving one 
child. The survivors are Charles W. and William 
A., who remain at home with their parents. 

Mr. Shannon is rather conservative in his polit- 
ical ifleas, ami aside from serving as a member of 
the School Board has declined to seek political pre- 
ferment. His paternal grandparents, Samuel and 
Elizabeth Shannon, were also natives of Virginia 
and of Scotch-Irish descent. The maternal grand- 
father, Thomas Allen, was one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Virginia, where he spent his last days. 




V C. ELLISON is distinguished in the aunals 
of Pawnee. Count}' as having been the very 
first settler in Plum Creek Precinct. He 
is a well-to-do farmer, aud operates a 
finely improved farm of 100 acres on sections 31 
and 32, that precinct. It is beautifully located, 
and is well watered by a branch of Plum Creek, is 
furnished with a substantial set of farm buildings, 
and a good supply of farming machinery, and 
everything about, the neat, well-appointed home- 
stead betokens the thrift, skill, and methodical 
habits of the owner. He is a fanner of wide ex- 
perience, and knows well how to cultivate his land 
so as to make the most of its exceedingly fertile 
soil, and derives therefrom a comfortable income. 
Mr. Ellison was born near Speedwell, Claiborne 
Co., Tenn., March 10, 1826. His father, Robert 
Ellison, was born in North Carolina, of which 
State his father, James Ellison, was likewise a 
native, of English descent. The latter moved to 
Tennessee in the early days of its settlement, ac- 
companied by his family, and there spent the re- 
mainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty years. 
He took part in the War of 1N12, and was a farmer 
by occupation. The father of our subject was 
voung when his parents moved to Tennessee, and 
he was there reared to manhood amid the influences 
of pioneer life. He bought 200 acres of wild land, 
and improved it, and continued to reside on his 
Tennessee homestead until his death, at the age of 



r 



i^h-*. 



.554 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



~t 



sixty year=, in 1872. The maiden name of the 
mother of our subject was Polly Kirk, and she was, 
like himself, born in Claiborne County, Tenn. Her 
father was a farmer there, but he subsequently 
moved to Illinois, and died there. The Kirk fam- 
ily was likewise of English descent. The mother 
died while still young, in 1839. She and her hus- 
band were people of great worth, and were es- 
teemed members of the Baptist Church, and he was 
a Democrat in his political views. They were the 
parents of eight children, as follows: Nancy (de- 
ceased), Me., Tilda and .Tames (both deceased ), 
Robert, George, Sally and Polly. Robert and 
( leorge enlisted from Tennessee in the Union Army, 
and served throughout the late Civil War. They 
were taken prisoners and sent to Andersonville, 
Robert remaining there eighteen months, and 
George ten months, he finally escaping. lie was 
shot by the guerrillas through the leg, and laid up 
for a long time. 

The subject of this biographical notice grew to 
man's estate on his father's homestead, and re- 
mained an inmate of the old home until he was 
twenty-three years of age, receiving in the mean- 
time the educational advantages afforded )>y the 
common schools. In the spring of 18G4 he came 
to Nebraska, by way of rail to St. Joseph, Mo., and 
thence by team to this locality, and rented some 
land on Wolf Creek, which he farmed to some ex- 
tent. In the fall of that year he took up a tract of 
land under the provisions of the Homestead Act, 
which land forms his present farm. It was then in a 
wild state, and in the busy years that have since 
followed he has worked a great change in it. He 
made most of the improvements with cattle, and 
soon after settling on it he set out groves of maple 
and cottonwood trees, and some of those trees are 
now a foot and a half in diameter. He has a 
valuable orchard of 150 choice fruit trees, and has 
his farm well hedged. He has put up a good 
dwelling, barns, etc. He owns, besides his home- 
stead, seventeen acres of timber on Plum Creek. 
Mr. Ellison pays much attention to the culture of 
corn, and raises horses, cattle, etc., with excellent 
success. His farm is well watered by a branch of 
Plum Creek which runs through it. 

Our subject has been twice married, both times 



in Claiborne County, Tenn. His first marriage, 
which took place in 1849, was to Miss Nancy M. 
Lynch, a native of Claiborne County. The fol- 
lowing is the record of the six children born to 
them: Jay H. is farming on the Otoe Reserve, in 
Gage County, Neb. ; Eli M. and Reily II., both 
married, are also farming in Gage County; Jere- 
miah is in the livery business in Liberty; Andrew 
J. is farming in Gage County; and Emeline is 
married to Proctor Goin, a farmer in the same 
county. The wife of his earlieryears died in 1881, 
and our subject was married a second time, Jan. 
15, 1884. in Tennessee, Miss Esther Wright, a na- 
tive of Claiborne County, becoming his wife. To 
them three children have been born, namely : Mar- 
garet A., Esau and Sarah. 

Mr. Ellison has met with merited success in life, 
as he has always been industrious, and has never 
wronged or defrauded another unjustly, is a good 
man, a kind and obliging neighbor, and one whom 
his fellow-citizens can trust. He is a sturdy advo- 
cate of the Republican party, and has been a mem- 
ber of the Grand Jury. 

-**> -4MH- ***- . 



lfn#' RANK PEPPERL ' Postmaster of Burchard, 
pafo and a dealer in agricultural implements, was 
/i\ the first business man to locate here, and he 

has done much to extend its commercial interests. 
and to put this enterprising and prosperous little 
town on a solid basis. He is a native of Bohemia. 
Austria, born in the town of Gossawoda, Jan. 17, 
1 853. His parents, Wenzle and Francisca (Leiclid) 
l'epperl, were likewise Bohemians by birth. Franz 
Pepperl, the paternal grandfather of our subject, 
who was born in Austria, was a tailor and also a 
small farmer, and died in his native land at the age 
of eighty-three. Franz Leiclid, the maternal grand- 
father of our subject, was also born in the same 
country, and there he spent his entire life. He was 
an overseer on the estate of an Austrian count. 

The parents of our subject grew to manhood and 
womanhood in their native land, and there married 
and four children were born to them, namely: 
Frank, Louis. James and Alvin. The father learned 
the trade of stonemason in early manhood and 



f 



*T^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



: *TT* 



.i.i-i 



followed that to some extent, hut the care of a 
small farm took up most of his attention. In 1*71 
he emigrated to America with his family, and 
located in Plum Creek, where he purchased a partly 
improved farm of 160 acres. He has built up a 
comfortable home, id which he and his wife are 
spending their declining years very pleasantly, he 
being now seventy-three years old and she sixty- 
three. He has made goo* improvements on his 
farm. an<L has been prospered in both his farming 
and stock-raising. He and his wifeare members in 

g 1 standing of the Catholic Church, and as 

kindly, genial people, leading Christian lives, com- 
mand the respect and esteem of those about them. 
Frank l'epperl passed his boyhood in his native 
town, and being a bright, quick- witted lad received 
a good education, having very good school advan- 
tages, lie remained an inmate of his parents' 
home until lie was fourteen years old, when he was 
apprenticed to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, con- 
tinuing at it three years. He was an ambitious i 
high-spirited youth, and deeming that better things 
awaited him in the great Republic across the sea. 
in 1869, when seventeen years of age. he made his 
way to the German coast, and at Bremen embarked 
on an American-bound Steamer, the "Ohio," and 
nineteen days later landed in Baltimore. From 
there he proceeded to Chicago, and found work in 
a Cabinet factory. He remained in that: city five 
years, working in different factories, mostly in the 
one owned by John Koenig & Co.. where he was 
employed three years. In 1871 he decided to avail 
himself of the many advantages offered by tin' 
newer State of Nebraska for young men to make 
their way in the various business pursuits, trades. 
etc. After his arrival here he went to work- as car- 
penter and contractor, and built the first school- 
house in District Xo. 5 1. He carried on thai business 
until 1882, ami then started in Hie hardware and 
implement business in Burchard, and erected .i 
building on ( >toe street for a store. In the spring of 
1888 he sold all of his stock, excepting agricultural 
implements, which he still sells, Inning an exten- 
sive and lucrative trade in that line, lie has in- 
vested his money very judiciously, and with other 
property owns a large tract of partly improved 
land in ( >shorne< ounty. Kan., comprising .'iCH acres. 



from the rental of which he derives a good income. 

The marriage of our subject to Miss Berdie 
Dschiska look place in Burchard Village, June 1(>, 
1884, and in their attractive home two children 
complete the family circl< — Frank and Lucy. Mrs. 
Pepperl was born in the same town where our sub- 
ject first saw the light of day. 

Mr. Pepperl is well endowed mentally, has line 
linguistic powers, ami since coming to the United 
States in 1869 has acquired a perfect command of 
the English language. lie interests himself ill the 
affairs and progress Of his adopted country, and has 
identified himself with the Democratic party, being 
prominent in its councils in Pawnee County, and 

has been delegate to ( 'ounty and State ( .inventions. 
He was appointed to his present position as Post- 
master in January, 1888. He is one of the leading 
civic officers in the local government; is a member 
of the Town Board, and of the School Board, be- 
sides having been Justice of the Peace for eight 
years. He belongs to the I. (). o. V.. of Burchard, 
has passed the chairs, and has attended the Grand 
Lodge at different times, and is at present District 
Deputy. He does all that he can to elevate Un- 
moral, social and religious tone of the town, and in 
him the Catholic ( 1 lurch finds one of its most val- 
uable members; he was a charter member and 
helped to erect the edifice in which the congregation 
worships, and is at present Trustee of the church. 

ffi OSEPH N. SMITH, a well-known business 
man of Burchard, comes on both sides of an 
old family. His grandfather Smith was 
Jl/ named George, and was a native of Ger- 
many, who emigrated to this country at an early 
age, and was a farmer in Virginia during the War 
of 1812. He enlisted in the American Army, and 
was four times wounded, afterward dying from the 
effects of his wounds, at the ageof sixty years. His 

maternal grandfather, Bradley Squire, was born in 
Rutland County. N't., and was there engaged in 
farming until 1812, when he removed to Coshocton 
County, Ohio, where he was one of the early set- 
tlers. There he cleared up a farm in the wilder- 
ness, and before his death had become possessor of 




556 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



-HHl 



two fine farms. For many years he was Justice of 
the Peace, and he died in 1858, at the age of eighty 
years. The father of our subject, Newman Smith, 
was born in Virginia, and was there reared to man- 
hood. He received a fair education and learned 
the trade of shoemaker. "While still a young man. 
he removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, and there 
was engaged in farming, and contracted his first 
marriage. He owned a small farm, but lost it by 
becoming security for others. lie overcame this 
misfortune, however, and secured some other prop- 
erty, on which he had a sawmill and gristmill, and 
there he was profitably engaged in milling, sawing 
lumber, etc., until a flood washed his dam out, and 
he traded his mill for town property, and again en- 
gaged in shoemaMng. He died of consumption in 
1*6 1, aged sixty -six years. His second wife, the 
mother of our subject, was Hester Squire, a native 
of Rutland County, Yt. She is now living in Ros- 
coe County, Ohio, with one of her daughters, and 
is eighty-four years old. By his first union Mr. 
Smith was the father of five children: Charles is 
living in California; Charlotte in Ohio; Alexander, 
Sarah and an infant are deceased. By his second 
union he became the father of seven children, of 
whom three, Mary, Jane and Joseph N., are living; 
Perry, Margaret, Hester and Albert are deceased. 
Perry entered the army in an Indiana regiment and 
died at New Orleans; Albert was a member of the 
132d < )hio Infantry, and died at Bowling Green, Ky. 

Joseph N. Smith, the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Coshocton County. Ohio, Jan. 2, 1847. He 
was reared on his father's farm, and lived at home 
until eighteen 3'ears old. when he began working 
out by the month. After his father's death he 
went to work near Roscoe, Ohio, where he remained 
until his marriage in 1866. He then bought a 
small farm and remained upon it until he came to 
-Nebraska. He first located in West Branch Pre- 
cinct, where he bought eight}- acres of improved 
land. This he sold in 1883, buying 136 acres in 
the same precinct, on which he has made many valu- 
able improvements. It was well suited for his pur- 
pose, being watered by the West Branch Creek. 
He raised some fine grade cattle, and also dealt in 
blooded horses, particularly Hambletonians. 

In the spring of 1888 Mr. Smith sold his farm 



and bought one-half interest in the hardware busi- 
ness in Burchard which is now carried on under 
the name of Smith & Starkey. Since his advent 
into the firm they have added very largely to their 
stock, and their business has doubled within a 
year, being now the largest in the city. 

May .'!. 1866, our subject was united in marriage 
near Roscoe, Ohio, to Miss Mary M. Eckles, a 
native of that place. Ten children have come to 
bless their union: William R.. Carrie E., Mary S.. 
Perry A., James E., Newton J., Edith E., Nellie F., 
John W. and Charles. The children are all at 
home with their parents, the family circle being 
yet unbroken. The eldest daughter, Carrie, is a 
school teacher. Mr. Smith has been a member 
of the School Board and Supervisor of the pre- 
cinct, is a member of and Class-Leader in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Violet, and in poli- 
tics is neutral. 

-fc*^- 

W;ILLIAM SCOTT. Prominent among the 
extensive agriculturists of Pawnee County 
stands the gentleman whose name we have 
the pleasure of placing at the head of this brief 
personal sketch. He is an honorable, honest, en- 
terprising man, and one of the most universally 
respected citizens of West Branch Precinct, where 
he has resided for the last thirty years, he having 
been an early pioneer of this place and county. 
He is a native of Scotland, born in Roxburghshire, 
parish of Morbatte, July 12, 1812. His parents, 
Andrew and Betty (Jcrdon) Scott, spent their 
entire lives in Scotland. His father, who worked 
as teamster for a gentleman, and also owned and 
managed a farm, died in 1873, and his mother in 
1S72. They were the parents of nine children, 
namely : Andrew, deceased ; William, Adam ; John, 
deceased; Thomas; James, deceased; Richard, 
Melvoy and Margaret. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on 
his father's farm, and while a boy assisted in the 
farm labors. He attended a pay school, and being 
a diligent and studious lad, he acquired a good 
education. Inheriting the characteristics of his 
thrifty Scotch progenitors, our subject when 
young was ambitious to earn a good livelihood 



T= 



f 



■<- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



557 




and save some money for his future years. With 
that eml in view lie worked at anything lie could 
find to do, and at one time we find him employed 
by a gentleman as steward, at another acting in the 
capacity of a hostler, and again working by the 
day. In that manner he passed many years of his 
life, but finding that in spite of his industry ami 
frugality he was not getting sufficient returns for 
his labor, he determined to emigrate to the United 
States, and in March, 1858, accompanied by his 
family, he set sail from Liverpool in the vessel "Al- 
beit Gallatin" for the land of hope. After a rough 
voyage of six weeks, during which he was very 
sea-sick, he landed in New York, and proceeded 
directly to Chicago, going thence to Kewanee, 111. 
Remaining there but three weeks, Mr. Scott com- 
menced his journey to this State, coming the en- 
tire distance with a yoke of oxen, and being six 
weeks on the way. On arriving here he located in 
West Branch Precinct, and taking up eighty acres 
of wild land began to build a home for himself 
and family. He was the first settler in the precinct, 
there having been at that time not a house be- 
tween Pawnee and Marysville, and Mr. Scott has 
watched with satisfaction the steady growth and 
progress of this community from its original con- 
dition, inhabited only by wild beasts and native 
Indians, to a populous township, with splendid 
farms, good schools, churches, and all other marks 
of advanced civilization, and he takes pride in 
having been partly instrumental in bringing about 
this wonderful change. Immediately after coming 
here our subject began the improvement of his 
farm, breaking the land with oxen, and setting out 
forest trees, an orchard, and putting up necessary 
buildings. In all of his undertakings he has met 
with assured success, and to his original acreage he 
has since been enabled, with the assistance of his 
sons, to add more land from time to time, so that 
now they together own and operate a farm of 960 
acres, one of the largest in the vicinity, all of 
which is well watered and fenced. Mr. Scott has 
a substantial set of farm buildings on his place, a 
large and convenient house, the lumber for which 
he had to draw from Atchison and Brownville. 
He and his sons raise all the cereals common to the 
State, harvesting annually large crops of corn and 



oats, and besides have ninety acres of their land, 
used as pasture, seeded with timothy and clover. 
They raise a great deal of stock, having a herd of 
175 Durhams; their hogs, about 100 in number, 
are of the famous Poland-China breed, and their 
noises are among the best in thecount}', they being 
the owners of fifteen head which are three-fourths 
Clydesdale. 

The subject of our sketch was married in his 
native shire, in Hobkirk Parish, April 13, 1838, to 
Miss Mary Oliver, who was born in that parish iu 
1814. Of this union two children were born dur- 
ing their residence in Scotland, Andrew and Will- 
iam. The latter lives with his father and carries 
on the home farm. The former, who is also a 
fanner in West Branch Precinct, served in the late 
Civil War. He enlisted in the fall of 1863 in 
Company E, 2d Nebraska Cavalry, which was sent 
along the frontier to tight the Sioux Indians, with 
whom they had an engagement at White Stone 
Mountain. In the spring of 1865, the term of en- 
listment having expired, his regiment was mustered 
out at Brownville. 

Mr. Scott takes an intelligent and earnest inter- 
est in public affairs, and generously contributes to 
every worthy enterprise that will in an}' way benefit 
his precinct. For a number of years he has served 
on the School Board, was Supervisor of Roads 
two years, and has also served as Judge of Elec- 
tions, and on the Jury. Religiously, he and his 
family are worthy members of the Presbyterian 
Church, and in politics he votes the straight Repub- 
lican ticket. 

V|^|\ARR BROS. (J. D. and Joseph) are among 
\^\ the most successful of the enterprising ami 
iffK)]|] intelligent young farmers of Pawnee County, 
^S^fJ and they operate the greatest area of land 
and are among the heaviest stock-feeders in Mission 
Creek Precinct, if not in the western part of Paw- 
nee County. They own 320 acres of land, the home 
farm of 160 acres lying on section 30, and 160 
acres in Gage County, on section 24, Liberty Pre- 
cinct; and in addition to this they rent 320 acres of 
the Bookwalter land. 

Our subjects were born near Hanover, Jo Daviess 



V 




«► if* * 



i ) 558 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 




Co., 111., J. D- April 16. 1859, and Joseph March 
1(1, 1861. They are the sons of Robert and Eliza- 
beth (Williamson) Barr. For parental history see 
sketch of their brother, William Barr, which ap- 
pears on another page of this book. Their father 
died when they were infants, but their mother 
bravely shouldered the support of her children and 
kept the family together. They were educated in 
the public schools of their native county, and when 
old enough formed a copartnership with their 
mother and carried on the old homestead. In 1870 
they sold the Illinois farm, desiring to avail them- 
selves of the many advantages of climate and soil 
in the younger State of Nebraska. They came by 
rail to Table Rock, this county, and the first year 
engaged in farming near Pawnee City. In the 
summer of 1879 they bought their present home- 
stead in Mission Creek Precinct, and ever since then 
have been residents of this place. Their land was 
entirely raw, and they immediately set about its 
improvement, broke the soil to prepare it for cul- 
tivation, built a house for their shelter, set out an or- 
chard and forest trees, devoting some five acres to 
a grove that much enhances the beauty of the 
landscape, fenced the land in hedge and wire, and 
otherwise greatly increased the value of their place. 
They have met with extraordinary success in their 
venture, and as their finances increased have added 
to their land bj r further purchase, and now have 
one of the best improved and most valuable farms 
in the locality. They have erected a very commo- 
dious and conveniently arranged residence, with 
large barns and other farm buildings in accordance, 
and have a well of never-failing water, with wind- 
mill, tanks, etc., and have a good supply of farm- 
ing machinery to facilitate farming operations. 
Their Gage County land, which they purchased 
partly improved in 1883, has also a very large house 
on it and other buildings. Their farm is well 
watered by Mission Creek, which just cuts off one 
corner. The size of their farm was not large 
enough, however, for these ambitious and energetic 
young agriculturists, as they wished to carry on 
farming and stock-raising still more extensively, so 
they rented 320 acres of the Bookwalter land, and 
are successfully managing 640 acres of land. Their 
hobby is feeding cattle, buying the most that they 



handle, which averages 200 a 3 T ear. They raise 
graded horses, some fifteen to twenty head, and use 
five teams to operate the farm. They raise some 150 
hogs each year, for which they find good markets. 
The}' handle their extensive and varied interests 
with consummate skill, and if they continue to be 
as successful as heretofore they will undoubtedly 
be numbered among the wealthy men of Pawnee 
County at no distant day. 

Our subjects are fine representatives of the vig- 
orous, wide-awake young Americans who are ma- 
terially promoting the highest interests of Ne- 
braska. Mission Creek, where they make their 
home, finds in them two of her most influential 
and popular citizens, of high standing in social and 
business circles. They are young men of unexcep- 
tional habits, and are valued members of the United 
Presbyterian Church of Mission Creek, and also of 
the Y. M. C. A. J. D. is Superintendent of the 
Sunday-school connected with his church. They 
are both strong Republicans. J. D. is at present 
serving his second term as Assessor of the precinct, 
and he is also School Director. 



Tp^i, TSSELL II. SAMSON. As a fine represent- 
|L^< ative of the influential, well-educated, and 
tAi\\\ universally esteemed pioneers of Pawnee 
w8)County, no one is more worthy of a com- 
mendatory notice than the gentleman whose name 
we have placed at the head of this sketch. Coming 
to Sheridan Precinct, where he has since lived, in 
1856, he has been prominently identified with its 
growth and progress, and has well performed his 
share in placing it on a substantial basis. 

Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, born 
Feb. 25, 1832, in Wayne County. John W. Sam- 
son, father of our subject, was born in Rhode Isl- 
and in 1806, and being early bereft of a father's 
care, went to Pennsylvania when quite young and 
served his time at the carpenter's trade. He sub- 
sequently bought a farm in Wayne County, but 
continued working at his trade on the railway, con- 
tracting for trestle work and for houses, being one 
of the earliest contractors of that county. After 
retiring from his trade he lived on his farm, though 




rss r 



JfS. 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



559 






not actively engaged in its management, until his 
death. In politics he was a Whig until the forma- 
tion of the Republican party, when he became a 
firm supporter of its principles. The maiden name 
of his wife, mother of our subject, was Mary Ann 
Hoadly, who was a native of Wayne County, and 
a daughter of Silas Hoadly. He was a native of 
Connecticut, who had moved to Wayne County, 
Pa., when a young man, and there cleared a farm 
from the wilderness, spending his remaining years 
on that homestead. .Mrs. Samson survived her 
husband five or six years. She was a most esti- 
mable woman and a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. To her and her husband were 
born eight children, all of whom grew to maturity 
and were the comfort of their parents in their de- 
clining years. 

Our subject received a practical education in his 
Dative county that well fitted him for the teacher's 
profession, winch he followed for some years. He 
subsequently worked for eleven years for the Dela- 
ware & Hudson Canal Company, commencing in a 
subordinate position as the driver of one horse, 
and being rapidly promoted until he became an 
overseer, having charge of two miles of gravita- 
tion road, with nine men under him. The position 
was a dangerous one, and our subject finally gave 
it up to come West, preferring to try farming in the 
new lands just being opened for settlement. Ac 
cordingly, in August, 1856, he visited Nebraska for 
the purpose of selecting suitable lands for agricult- 
ural purposes. Being much pleased with the location 
and climate of Sheridan Precinct, our subject pre- 
empted L60 acres of raw land here, and after mak- 
ing some improvements went east for his family. 
Returning with them, he came up the river on the 
boat to Brownville. and from there drove to Sheri- 
dan, and since that time he has been a permanent 
resident of this precinct, living at first like all 
Of the early pioneers, in a log house, which was 
here when he settled. The county was then very 
sparsely inhabited, there being but few families in 
his neighborhood. Mr. Samson at once became an 
important factor in building up the industrial and 
educational interests of Sheridan, and after assisting 
in organizing School District No. 34 served as one 
of its officers, the larger part of the time for many 

«• 



years having been Moderator and School Director. 
The first school in the district was held in a private 
house, the parents hiring a Mrs. Ball to teach the 
first two terms. They then built a frame school- 
house one-half mile east of the crossing of the 
Nemaha, and just north of the precinct line. The 
school commenced with ten pupils, but the number 
has since increased until there are now sixty chil- 
dren of school age in the district, and the school 
has an enrollment of thirty-eight regular attend- 
ants. Soon after arriving he exchanged his pre- 
emption claim for apart of the land which he now 
occupies, and to that, as his finances would allow. 
has added more, until now he has a farm of 2 H) 
acres, with good improvements, ninety acres being 
on the upland, with fifteen acresof fine timber, and 
the remainder lying in the valle3'. He has an ex- 
cellent bearing orchard, a good hedge along the 
roadside and his farm well fenced. His forest trees 
he set out himself, having besides put out many 
evergreens, which from some unknown cause have 
died. Our subject is especially interested in stock- 
raising, having a fine herd of cattle, comprising 
seventy-nine head, with a thoroughbred Short-horn 
bull at the head, and also keeps 100 hogs. 

In 1K6D Mr. Samson built his present residence, 
a substantial stone house, the first one of that ma- 
terial in the county, which will stand for many 
years as a testimony to his energetic industry. The 
lumber for one of the chamber floors he brought 
from the Rocky Mountains, drawing it on a re- 
turn trip from carrying freight to Denver. When 
our subject first came here ready m< >ue\ w as a scarce 
article, and people were willing to work hard for a 
small amount of it, and he used to haul his corn 
from 150 to 300 miles to ranches or cities on the 
plains. He made one trip of 200 miles with two 
yokes of cattle and one wagon, taking provisions 
from home for the round trip, and cleared $8 by 
his journey. One summer he drew his corn to 
Denver, driving six 3'okes of oxen ahead of two 
wagons that were fastened together, being encour- 
aged to undertake the trip from the fact that the 
year before corn had sold there for $15 a hundred 
pounds, but he was not repaid, as he received but 
*t.75 per 100 pounds for his load. Mr. Samson's 
farm compares favorably with any in the county, 



•+z*h+ 




i ) 560 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



^T* 



4 



being one of the richest and most productive, and 
he has had opportunities to sell it at a large figure, 
but has steadily refused all offers. This is his home 
and here he has passed through many troublous 
times and many equally pleasant ones. During the 
grasshopper raid, when many faint-hearted people 
were discouraged and left the country, Mr. Samson 
remained and got along all right, his greatest 
trouble having been to obtain sufficient help, that 
having been scarce, even though the wages he offered 
was $2 a day. With wheat at fifty cents a bushel 
that remuneration was sufficient to keep every family 
from want in spite of the depredations of the grass- 
hoppers. 

.Mr. Samson has a good general knowledge of the 
early pioneer history of this State, and relates 
many interesting things concerning it. Although 
the settlement of Nebraska was conducted quietly, 
without the sanguinary conflicts that disturbed the 
colonization of Kansas at the same time, yet there 
were seasons of great excitement connected with 
the troublesome question of slavery. An "under- 
ground railway" for the use of escaping slaves 
passed through this precinct, running from Mis- 
souri to Canada, with the station at the house of 
Charles Giddings, Presiding Elder of the Methodist 
Church. lie assisted many slaves from one station 
to another, and one lot was very nearly captured 
in this precinct. Mr. Samson is a man of probity, 
truth and honor, and has to the fullest extent the 
confidence of his fellow-citizens. In politics he is 
a stanch Republican, and cast his first Presidential 
vote for John C. Fremont. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Emeline 
M. Woodard was solemnized April 2, 185(5. She 
was born in Wayne County, Pa.. Nov. 26, 1838, 
and lived there, a member of the parental house- 
hold, until her marriage. Her grandfather, John 
Woodward, was a descendant of the Puritans, born 
in Connecticut, moving from there to Pennsylva- 
nia, where he spent his last years. Asher Wood- 
ward, her father, was a native of the same county as 
herself, born in 1801, and carried on the business of 
a farmer in Pennsylvania until eight years prior to 
his decease, when he removed to Sandwich, 111., 
where he died in I860. He married Miss Matilda 
4* 



Kenned}-, a native of Mt. Pleasant. Pa., and hi 
them were born ten children. 

The union of our subject and his wife has been 
blessed by the birth of ten children, nine of whom 
are still living, the following being their record: 
Emery R., born Jan. 15. 1857; Jessie, Feb. 21. 
1859; Myra A.. Jan. 30, 1861; Eva A., Dec. 15, 
1863; Willard W., March 6, 1865; Carrie L., June 
11. 1868; May A., Oct. 26, 1871; Robert P.. Aug. 
20, 1871; Nellie G.. April 16. 1876; Clyde E., May 
24, 1881. Robert died when an infant. Emery, 
who lives in Kingman County, Kan., married Mollie 
Donahue, and they have three children — Florence, 
Raymond and Shirley. Jessie married II. Dwight 
Tinker, of Humboldt, and they have three children 
— Eliza D., Cleora P. and Ralph. Eva is the wife 
of George S. Griffin^of Weeping Water, and they 
have two children — John and May. 




RS. MARGARET E. BLACKLAW. a dili- 

l\ gent and accomplished business woman, 
^ lives in Table Rock Precinct, where she 
owns a valuable farm, lying mostly on sec- 
tion 31. She is of Irish ancestry, born in New 
Ross, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. April 15. 
1838. Her father, Thomas Quinlan, was born in 
Ireland, and lived there until he attained man- 
hood, when he emigrated to this country. He sub- 
sequently married Miss Elizabeth Broom, who bore 
him seven children, five of whom are yet living. < >nr 
son in Washington Territory, one son in Missouri, 
and Mrs. Mary F. Harbison in Kansas; Thomas 
Quinlan lives in Paradise. Nova Scotia, and our 
subject. In 1856 Mr. Quinlan came with his fam- 
ily to Nebraska, and locating on the Big Muddy, 
in Richardson County, pre-empted 160 acres, on 
which he settled. He lived but a few months 
afterward, however, his death occurring in 1857. 
Mrs. Quinlan carried on the farm with the assist- 
ance of her children,- and continued its improve- 
ment until her death, ten years later, when it wis 
sold. 

The subject of our sketch was eighteen years of 
age when she came with her parents to Richardson 
County, and after her father's death she remained 




■*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



561 



f 



on the homestead, assisting her mother, and receiv- 
ing a practical education in the duties and man- 
agement of a farm, which lias well fitted her for her 
present position. On the 1st of January, 18(11, our 
subject became the wife of Mr. John Blacklaw, her 
marriage having taken place in Richardson County, 
where they lived the subsequent two years. From 
1868 to 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Blacklaw lived in Paw- 
nee County, and then returned to Richardson 
County, where they lived another year, going 
from there to Nemaha County. In 1868, desiring 
to permanently establish themselves, they again 
came to this county, and bought the present home- 
stead. It was partly improved and had a mill 
on it, and a commodious house, which was at 
that time considered the finest in tlte county. It 
has a stone basement, with an upright frame of 
Gothic architecture, and was an imposing edifice 
for those days, and a very convenient, substantial 
house now. The Table Rock mill on the farm had 
then a large trade, and Mr. Blacklaw carried on 
milling in connection with his farming. He was a 
man of much energy and versatility, and met with 

g 1 success in his enterprises. He was one of the 

first extensive raisers of stock in the county, keep- 
ing over 100 head of each, cattle, horses and hogs, 
all of a good grade. He invested a part of his 
capital in the mercantile business, and had an in- 
terest in the first drug-store opened in Table Rock, 
lie having furnished the money and Mr. Burns 
operating the store. Mr. Blacklaw was a man of 
good business ability, an excellent financier, and 
was widely known as one of the wealthy men of 
the town. He was one of the first Commissioners 
appointed in this county, and held the position 
nine years. He was a native of England, born in 
1829, and lived in his native country until a young 
man. when lie came to the United States and set- 
tled firsl in Ohio, and then in Illinois, living for a 
time in Springfield. Then, desiring to prospeel a 
little in the more Western States, came to Ne- 
braska, and lived here, as before mentioned, until 
his death. Sept 8. 1882. lie was at one time a 
member of the Episcopal Church, in which faith 
he was reared. 

After the death of her husband our Bubjectoper- 
ated the mill for a short time, and still manages 



T 



*- 



her farm with the assistance of her children, of 
whom five of the seven born to her are still living, 
namely: Mary J., Anna E., James Q., John B. and 
Thomas William. All are receiving the advantages 
of the excellent school system of Pawnee County, 
and are being well trained in the practical duties 
of life. Mrs. Blacklaw is a most estimable woman, 
courteous and genial, and in every way worthy of 
the high consideration in which she is held by the 
entire community. She is a sincere Christian and 
one of the original members of the Catholic Church, 
which she assisted in building, and helps to sup- 
port. 



eHARLES SKIP. The southwest quarter 
of section 25, Mission Creek Precinct, has 
been developed by our subject into as good 
a farm as is to be found in this part of Pawnee 
County. When it first came into his possession ten 
years ago there were scarcely any improvements on 
it, but by constant and patient labor he now has it 
under admirable tillage. It is partly fenced, and is 
provided with an excellent set of farm buildings, 
including a comfortable, roomy house, barns, etc. 
Four acres are in thrifty groves, and there is a 
large orchard of eight acres on the place. Mr. 
Seip has his farm well stocked with graded cattle 
and hogs, and has fourteen head of good horses, 
using three teams in his farm work. 

The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 28, 
1841, in Emaus, Lehigh Co., Pa., to William and 
Catherine (Knaus) Seip. His parents were both 
born in the same year, 1807, and the father of 
German antecedents, but while the father was I huh 
in the Fatherland, in Darmstadt, the mother was of 
American birth, Lehigh County. Pa., being her 
birthplace. Her father, John Knaus, was likewise 
a native of that count v. He was a well-to-do far- 
mer, and a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. The 
father of our subject grew to manhood in the hind 
of his birth, and there learned the trade of weaver. 
At the age of twenty-two he left his old home and 
associates in Germany, and migrating to America in 
18-2!), located in Lehigh County, l'a. He began 
weaving there, also worked at mining, was frugal 
and industrious, and saved money, which he in- 



562 



i^H* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 






vested in city property. In 1849 lie moved to Ve- 
nango County, the same State, and operated a well 
drill very profitably for a number of 3'ears. In 
1873 death closed his useful and honorable career, 
in Richland Township, Venango Co., Pa. His wife 
also died in Pennsylvania, surviving her husband 
until 1882. They were people of great merit, and 
were justly held in high consideration by all who 
knew them. They were active members of the 
German Evangelical Church. Nine children blessed 
their wedded life, namely: William and Anna, 
both deceased; Mary, Charles, James, Henry; 
Amelia Maria, deceased; James enlisted in the 
Union Army in 1861, from Venango County, Pa., 
and served through the entire war, and was slightly 
wounded in the shoulder at Lookout Mountain. 
Henry was in the same regiment as our subject, en- 
listing in 1864, and serving until the close of the 
war. 

The subject of this sketch received the basis of 
his education in a German school in his native 
count}-. He was a young lad when his parents 
moved to Venango Count}-, and there he attended 
the public schools. He remained at home until he 
was past twenty-three years of age, and he then 
shouldered arms and went forth to aid in fighting 
his country's battles on Southern battle-fields, en- 
listing in February, 1864, in Company M, 5th 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the Army of the James, 
under the command of Gen. Kantz. He was mus- 
tered in at Camp Copeland. He took part in 
different raids, and in the Wilson raid his regi- 
ment was cut up pretty badly. Our subject was 
present at the engagement on Johnson's farm, and 
also did active service in the battle of Appomattox 
Court House and at Petersburg. He was at Rich- 
mond at the time of Lee's surrender, and in Au- 
gust, 1865, he was mustered out in that city, and at 
Philadelphia received his discharge and payment, 
he having served eighteen months with the valor 
and efficiency of a veteran. 

At the close of his exciting military experience 
our subject resumed the quiet life of a farmer in 
his old home in Venango County, Pa. He was 
there married, in Richland Township, Jan. 1, 1867, 
M iss Katie King, a native of that place, becoming 
his wife. Of this happy marriage eight children 
<• 



have been born: Alta M., Lizzie G, Harvey K., 
Homer A., Elmer G, Blanche I., Ida M. and Iva 
M. (twins), the latter of whom is dead. The others 
are at home, and are receiving good educational 
advantages. Mrs. Seip was born in August, 1845, 
to Adam and Elizabeth (Aungust) King. This 
lady departed this life April 4, 1884. 

After marriage Mr. Seip rented land in Venango 
County, and carried on agriculture there for two 
years. He then removed to his father-in-law's 
place, where he farmed for eleven years, until 1880. 
In that year he removed by rail to Pawnee County, 
Neb., he having been here the previous year, and 
being so impressed with the beauty of the country, 
the fine climate, the lay of the land, the exceeding 
fertility of the soil, and the various other advan- 
tages offered to an enterprising farmer, that he had 
purchased his present 160-acre tract of land in 
Mission Creek Precinct, with a view of making his 
future home here. He now located on it, and has 
since made all the improvements mentioned in the 
opening paragraph of this sketch. 

Mr. Seip is a man of sound practical wisdom, 
with logical and sensible views on all subjects of 
general interest, in which he is well informed, 
and no man, for his moral worth and rectitude of 
character, stands higher in the estimation of the 
citizens of this community. He and his good wife 
were connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of Marshall County, Kan., among its 
most active workers, he serving as Steward, and in 
the Sunday-school is also prominent. In him the 
Republican party finds an honest supporter. He 
is a valued member of the local School Board, this 
being his third year as School Director. 



►J- 



*4 



JAMES TILLOTSON is a member of the 
firm of Sutton & Tillotson, proprietors of a 
hardware store in Table Rock, a brick build- 
ing on the corner of Luzerne avenue and 
Public Square, which carries the largest and best 
assorted stock in that line, and is, in fact, the most 
extensive establishment of the kind in Pawnee 
County. Mr. Tillotson has full charge of the 
trade, and manages it in a thoroughly business" 

— — — •» 



r 



«*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



563 



4- 



Like and methodical manner, so as to secure good 
profits. 

Our subject was born in Walworth County, 
Wis., Sept. 10, 1858, and is a son .of Joseph Tillot- 
son, a Dative of London, England. His father was 
married in his native land to Hannah Hinds, and 
to them were born live children, three of whom 
are now living — our subject, John and George. 
The parents of our subjeat came to America in 
early life and settled in Walworth County, Wis., 
where Mr. Tillotson was actively engaged in farm- 
inn- for some years. He subsequently moved to 
Waukesha County, in the same State, and lived 
there until after the death of his estimable wife, 
and then broke up his home, and has since re- 
sided in various places, spending much of his 
time in traveling, and is now residing' at Mans- 
ville. Wis. 

•lames Tillotson was six years old when his par- 
ents moved to Oconomowoc, Waukesha Co., Wis., 
and he there obtained a substantial foundation for 
a solid education in the High School, in 1874 lie 
moved to York, Neb., and received a good course 
of instruction in the academy there, and also 
learned his trade of tinner in that city with J. II. 
Woolman, being with him three and a half years, 
and hi- now carries on his trade in connection with 
the hardware business. From York he went to 
Atchison, Kan., and worked at his trade there anil 
in other places for several years. He finally came 
herein 1882, and worked as a tinner in this store 
for about three years, and then was taken into part- 
nership in this the first hardware store ever estab- 
lished in this part of the county. Mr. Tillotson, 
although a young man, has already built up a 

g 1 home for himself and family, and has gained 

a comfortable competence, every dollar of which is 
the result of his own labor, combined with shrewd 
management of his finances. 

Mr. Tillotson was married. Aug. (>. 1KK2, to Mi>* 
Nettie BriggS, and to them have been born two 
sons. Herman Ralph and .!. Edwin, both of whom 
will be given every advantage afforded by good 
education. Mrs. Tillotson was born in Walworth 
County. Wis., and is a daughter of Adam Briggs, 
a native of Pennsylvania. Tiny moved to Wiscon- 
f sin, and there Mr. BriggS was engaged in farming, 



and there they were married. They reared a fam- 
ily of ten children in that State, and there died. 
Mrs. Tillotson came to Pawnee County with her 
brother Edwin in 1880. He now Lives at Valley 
City, Dak. 

Mr. Tillotson is well and favorably known as a 
man of strict business integrity, and his credit 
stands high in financial circles. He is genial and 
helpful toward those about, him. and he and his 
amiable wife are favorites in the society of the 
place. They are valued members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and do all that lies in their 
power to promote the moral and material advance- 
ment of the community. Mr. Tillotson favors the 
Republican party, taking an intelligent interest in 
politics, although not an active partisan. 

-« > ■ ;>« ■■■ 



jp^EV. DR. MARION MORRISON. The LJni- 
[gff ted Presbyterian Church of Mission Creek 
has been presided over in a most worthy 
^manner by the subject of this sketch since 
1878, and he is considered one of the ablest men of 
this denomination in the West. He was connected 
with the well-known Monmouth College in Warren 
County, 111., during its infancy, and was largely 
instrumental in its subsequent success. lie is an 
eloquent speaker, forcible in argument, and as a 
pastor faithful and conscientious, making among 
his people his warmest and most faithful friends. 
Dr. Morrison was born in Adams County. Ohio. 
June 2, 1821, and was reared a farmer's boy. at- 
tending tin- district school, and remaining under 
the parental roof until twenty years of age. In 
the spring of 18 1 1 he became a student in the col- 
lege at Ripley. Ohio, where he studied one and one- 
half years, then entered Miami University, taking 
the full classical course, and being graduated with 
honors in L846. Soon afterward he entered upon 
tlie study of theology at Oxford, remaining there 
four years. He was Licensed to preach the (iospel 
in 1811), and assumed charge of his first pastorate, 
the United Presbyterian Church at Tranquility, 
Adams County, over which lie presided six years. 
In 1856 he was elected Professor of Mathematics 




f 



-I 



5fi4 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



and Natural Philosophy, and held these chairs in 
Monmouth College seven and one-half years, and 
until resigning his position. Afterward for six 
months he operated as a financial agent to secure 
endowments, and has since that time been connected 
more or less with the religious papers published in 
the interest of the church. 

During the progress of the late war Dr. Morrison 
enlisted as Chaplain in the 9th Illinois Infantry, 
receiving his commission from Gov. Yates, and 
journeyed with the regiment to the South, remain- 
ing with it until the 28th of July, 1864. He was 
mustered out at Springfield. 111., and received his 
honorable discharge. He returned to Monmouth 
greatly broken down in health, remained there one 
year, and in June, 1866, took charge of the United 
Presbyterian congregation at Lacon, Marshall Co., 
111., where he remained until December, 1870. 
Thence he removed to College Springs, Page Co., 
Iowa, and remained at that place until the year 
1878, and was engaged in general missionary work. 
In the spring of that year he was called to his 
present charge in Mission Creek. He found a 
feeble society of six members, and such has been 
the success with which he has labored that three 
congregations have since been organized from it_ 
He is General Superintendent of Missions in this 
State, and his time is constantly employed in the 
Master's work. 

Dr. Morrison was married in Preble County, 
Ohio, April 30, 1850, to Miss E. S. Brown, daugh- 
ter of Dr. George R. and Elizabeth (Presley) 
Brown, the former of whom was born on the At- 
lantic Ocean, while his parents were coming from 
Ireland to America. The mother was a native of 
South Carolina, born in the Abbeville District. 
Grandfather Brown, a native of Ireland, upon his 
emigration to America settled in North Carolina, 
where he followed farming the remainder of his 
life. Dr. Brown was educated at Abbeville, and 
after completing his studies took up his abode in 
Preble County, Ohio, where he established a lucra- 
tive practice, and followed his profession until fail- 
ing health compelled him to retire. He spent his 
last days at a farm in Preble County, Ohio, sur- 
rounded by all the comforts of life, and died on the 
21st of June, 1845, when seventy -one years old. 

-** 



The mother survived her husband a period of 
eleven years, dying in 1856, aged sixty-five. Both 
were members of the United Presbyterian Church. 
Their family consisted of nine children, namely: 
George, Jane, Grisella, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, 
Nancy, David and Nathan. But three of these are 
living. Nancy is a resident of Jamestown. Kan., 
and Nathan lives at Pawnee City. 

Mrs. Morrison was born Aug. 25, 1823, near 
Oxford, in Preble County. Ohio, and was educated 
in the Female College at Granville. Of her union 
with our subject there are three children — William 
P., George W. and Mary E. William taught school 
for a time, but is now farming in Page County. 
Iowa; he has a wife and family of three children. 
George was graduated from Monmouth College, 
and subsequently pursued his theological studies in 
Xenia. Ohio. Later he was appointed a missionary 
to India, of which country he is now a resident. 
Mary E. is at home with her parents. Mr. Morrison, 
politically, is an earnest Republican. 

The father of our subject was Hon. Robert Mor- 
rison, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and 
born in November, 1782. lie came to America in 
his youth, and was married in Ohio, to Miss Phebe 
McGowan, a native of Butler County, Pa. The 
paternal grandfather, George Morrison, was also 
born in Ireland, learned the trade of weaver, and 
spent his entire life upon his native soil. He mar- 
ried Miss Nancy Scroggs, who later came to Amer- 
ica, and died in Adams County, Ohio, at the 
advanced age of ninety -nine years. 

The father of our subject upon first coming to 
America located in Kentucky, but only sojourned 
there a short time, removing thence to Adams 
Count}-, Ohio, where he purchased 150 acres of 
land. He participated in the War of 1812, and 
was given a Captain's commission under Gen. Har- 
rison. He did brave service as a soldier until the 
close of the conflict, and returning to Adams 
County, Ohio, became a man of means and promi- 
nence. He was identified with political affairs, and 
for a period of thirty-three years served as Associ- 
ate Judge. He was elected to the Ohio Legislature, 
of which he was a member two terms, and intro- 
duced many sensible measures adopted by that body 
He was a member of the Ohio militia as a Brigadier 

■► 



f 







i • '^ ..v*rrv~ 












4= 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



567 



General. He rested from his earthly Labors in 1803. 
The mother survived her husband two years, dying 
in L865, at the age of seventy-five. Robert Morrison 
was also identified with the United Presbyterian 
Church, in which he was an Elder a period of 
forty-five years. 



-o*o..@^A,^^..ofo.. 



*,■»■■ 



bEWTS MARSH ROGERS. The property 
comprising the Rogers estate is considered 
as among the most valuable in Pawnee 
County. The home farm is a finely' cultivated 
tract of land with a commodious frame dwelling, a 
large stone barn, and first-class improvements gen- 
erally. It is at once recognized as the result of in- 
dustry and perseverance, with the supervision of a 
mind more than ordinarily intelligent. He who 
first labored in the subduing of the soil, and later 
superintended its operations, is now no more, but 
he has left a monument more enduring than brass, 
the record of an upright life, fruitful with kindly 
deeds and honest purposes. 

The subject of this record was born in Tennessee, 
April 11,1837, and was the son of Hon. P. M. 
Rogers, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this 
volume. His early life was spent amid the peace- 
ful pursuits of agriculture, and his studies were 
conducted in the common school. When a youn« 
man twenty years of age he came with the balance 
of the family to Nebraska Territory, they locating 
on a tract of land in Clay Precinct, which is now 
occupied by Robert Scott, a son-in-law, who is also 
written of on another page. 

When past twenty-four years of age Mr. Rogers 
formed matrimonial ties, being wedded to Miss Mary 
E., daughter of Francis and Dulcena (Rice) Burg, 
Sept. 19, 1861. Mrs. Rogers was born in Shelby 
County, Ind., March 14, 1842. The young people 
soon afterward commenced housekeeping in a modest 
dwelling upon the land now occupied by the widow 
and her children. After they had spent twenty 
years together Mr. Rogers was called to his long 
home, Dec. 3, 1881, greatly mourned by his family 
and by all who knew him. He was a man possess- 
ing a well-poised mind, combining executive and 
constructive ability in a marked degree. His cmi- 



•Hh* 



nent fitness for positions of trust and responsibility 

was recognized by his townsmen at an early day, 
and after discharging the duties of the various lo- 
cal offices he was made a County Commissioner, 
the duties of which position he discharged with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. 

Mr. Rogers was particularly interested in bring- 
ing the educational system of his adopted State to 
a high standing, and labored strenuously for the 
measures which would guarantee enlightenment to 
all. A Republican in politics, he fearlessly advo- 
cated the principles of his party, of which he wasa 
leader in many local contests. He not only advo- 
cated patriotism, but made practical application of 
his principles during the progress of the Civil War, 
enlisting as a private soldier in Company II, 2d 
Nebraska Cavalry, and serving nine months, being 
promoted to Sergeant. He was honorably dis- 
charged Dec. 23, 1803. 

Remarkably successful in business affairs, Mr. 
Rogers left at his death 592 acres of valuable land 
thoroughly improved, thus insuring his family 
against want. To him and his estimable wife there 
were born eight children, namely: Francis M., 
William S., Mary A , George H., Sarah K., Dulcena 
A., Charles L. and Edward C. As a husband and 
father Mr. Rogers presented a model to the world. 
He was kind, devoted and affectionate, and looked 
up to by the members of his household with that 
consideration which every father of a family should 
exert himself to be worthy of. 

Mrs. Rogers in former years wasa member of the 
Christian Church, to which she was ardently at- 
tached, but of late years bas been unable to actively 
participate in church work, though her zeal in the 
Master's cause is as earnest now as in the days of 
her youth. She is a lady possessing admirable traits 
of character, and is the daughter of Francis H. 
Burg, who was born in Germany, ami accompanied 
his parents, Francis and Mary Burg, to America in 
1832. They settled first in Shelby County, Ind., 
where the elder Burg died ten years later, in 1843. 
His widow came to the West in 1870 and settled in 
this county, making her home with a grandson, 
where her death took place Feb. 6, 1883, at the ad- 
vanced age of nicety-four years. 

Mr. Burg was married in Shelby County, Ind., 1 



JL 



4*- 
568 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



*t 



to Miss Dulcena Rice, a native of Kentucky, and 
the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Rice. The 
latter left the Blue Grass region in 1858, coining to 
this county and taking up 160 acres of land in Clay 
Precinct. Mr. Burg died Aug. 14, 1863, while on 
a freighting expedition to the farther West. He had 
served as Justice of the Peace in Clay Precinct, 
and with his excellent wife was a member of the 
Christian Church. They were the parents of twelve 
children: Mary E., Mrs. Rogers; William R., John 
W. ; Julia A., the wife of Andrew Scott, of this 
county; Maggie, Mrs. Robert Inglis. of Clay Pre- 
cinct; Michael R., Lavina, Cassandra and Alice, the 
wife of John Blaine. George died at the age of 
eighteen years, Sarah when three years, and Dora 
when seven months old. 

An admirable portrait of Lewis M. Rogers is 
shown on another page, and to his many friends will 
be an attractive feature of this Album. 



fJOHN MORLEY, an intelligent, industrious 
and well-to-do farmer of Table Rock Pre- 
cinct, is one of the early pioneers of Pawnee 
County, coming here while it was yet 
young, ere towns were platted, roads laid out, or 
the county seat adopted. lie has been an active, 
hard-working man, and while laboring for the im- 
provement of his own property, has not been un- 
mindful of the needs of the growing precinct where 
he located, but has always been identified with all 
movements looking toward its advancement. 

Mr. Morley was born Aug. 31, 1816, in York- 
shire, England, where he was reared and educated. 
He engaged in farming when a young man, and 
continued thus occupied in his native country until 
1851, when he sought new lands and a new home 
in the United States. The first five years after 
coming to this country our subject lived in Pitts- 
ton, Pa., where he was married to Mrs. Ann Bous- 
field, a native of England, who had emigrated to 
the United States when young. She was sub- 
sequently married, and by her first husband had 
three children, all of whom lived with our subject 
until grown up. Mr. Morley was not quite satis- 
fied with his future prospects in the Keystone 



State, and determined to try farming on Western 
soil. Accordingly in the fall of 1856 he started 
for Nebraska, coming by rail to St. Louis, thence 
to Jefferson City, where he took passage on a river 
boat for his intended destination, but on arriving 
at Weston the water was so low that the passengers 
were obliged to abandon the boat, and buying a 
yoke of cattle to draw the baggage, the entire 
party had to walk the rest of the way, crossing the 
river at St. Stephen's. Our subject pre-empted a 
tract of land north of Table Rock, now owned by 
J. Purcell, which he partly improved. The follow- 
ing spring he sold out and bought land lying a little 
south of where he now lives. He labored assidu- 
ously, and from the wild prairie eliminated a good 
farm. It had a fine grove of forest trees, and he 
set out an orchard which is now bearing, and fenced 
the farm, and placed 175 acres of it under cultiva- 
tion. He enlarged the house, put up good out- 
buildings, granary and stables. In 1877 Mr. Morley 
disposed of that property and bought his present 
farm, lying on sections 34 and 35, paying So an 
acre for it. It was then in its normal state, but 
with characteristic energy our subject began its 
improvement. That he has met with good success 
in his labors is shown by the fine condition of his 
homestead and its appurtenances. He has erected 
a commodious frame house, of neat and tasty 
architecture, possessing all the conveniences of a 
modern farmhouse, and also a large barn, 20x70 
feet, which is planed, battened and painted. In 
1879 he put up a windmill which pumps water for 
use in the house, and also for the stock. Mr. Mor- 
ley has besides set out a fine grove of forest trees, 
a good orchard of fruit trees, and plenty of small 
fruits and shrubbery, rendering his estate one of 
the most beautiful in the locality. He has taken 
much interest in stock-raising, and been largely in- 
strumental in bringing up the standard of the stock 
in his community. He was the first to bring a 
thoroughbred Short-horn into the vicinity, he hav- 
ing bought it for $100 when it was a calf, of Mr. Dan- 
iels, of Sarpy County. Two years later Mr. Blacklaw 
•brought some Short-horns into the precinct, and 
our subject subsequently purchased other full- 
blooded cows and bulls, registered Short-horns, and 
made a specialty of stock-raising. For his endeav- 

•► 



*HI^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



569 



ors to improve the grade of cattle in this commu- 
nity lie has the gratitude of all intelligent farmers, 
who appreciate his efforts in this direction as well as 
his other labors for the progress and growth of 
the precinct. In educational matters he has taken an 
active part, and helped to organize the first school 
district, but he is of a modest and retiring disposi- 
tion and has steadily refused all public offices. Mr. 
Morley has now passed the allotted threescore 
years and ten of man's natural days, and is prepar- 
ing to retire from active toil, and with that end in 
view is disposing of his stock and getting ready to 
give up agricultural work. For sixty years he has 
toiled without ceasing, working always for the best 
interests of his family and community, and now, as 
old age comes creeping on, he feels justly entitled 
to a few years of case and comfort, that he may en- 
joy the competence that he has accumulated. He 
is a man of undisputed honesty and integrity in all 
business transactions, and has the honor and respect 
of the entire community. He was reared in the 
faith of the Church of England, but now supports 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he assisted 
in building and regularly attends. In politics he 
is a Republican. 



^-+#=^^4^ 



"A OBERT II. HAMMOND. It is nearly thirty 
|L^2 years since this honored pioneer of Pawnee 
County first set foot upon the soil of Ne- 
JH^braska, haying come hither in 1857, during 
its Territorial days. He pre-empted 160 acres of 
land in Pawnee Precinct, upon which he effected 
considerable improvement, and then added to his 
landed estate to the amount of l(i<i acres on section 
I. lie now has one of the linest farms in this re- 
gion, devoted largely to stock-raising, an industry 
which yields him a handsome income. 

The native place of our subject was in Jefferson 
County. Ind.. and the date of his birth Nov. 1, 
1N2.">. His father, Peter Hammond, was born in 
.Maryland, hut reared mostly in Pennsylvania, to 
which State his parents removed when he was 
quite young. He was reared a farmer's boy. and 
upon reaching man's estate married Miss Nancy 
Chambers, a native of Virginia, who was the daugh- 



*-w 



ter of Robert Chambers, who subsequently emi- 
grated to Indiana. He was born in 1800. and died 
in Jefferson County, Ind., in 1836. His excellent 
wife survived him a period of forty years, remain- 
ing a widow, and passing to her final rest in 1876. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
five sons and five daughters, six of whom are still 
living, making their homes mostly in Indiana. 
Robert II., our subject, was the third in order of 
birth, and, like his brothers and sisters, received 
his education in the common schools of Jefferson 
County, Ind. lie remained a member of his fa- 
ther's household until reaching manhood, then com- 
menced farming for himself, and labored thus a 
period of seven years before taking unto himself a 
wife and helpmate. He was then married, in 1854, 
to Miss Martha J., daughter of Joseph and Mary 
(Snodgrass) Woods, and in 1857 they started over- 
land with wagons upon the long journey to Ne- 
braska. The first few years of their experience 
on the frontier were similar to that of the pioneers 
around them, during which they endured many 
hardships, but patience and endurance met with 
their legitimate reward, and in due time they had 
reason to congratulate themselves that they had 
come hither. 

Mr. Hammond commenced operations on a tract 
of unimproved land, and it is hardly necessary to 
say that the task of bringing it to its present con- 
dition has involved years of labor and the outlay 
of thousands of dollars. It has proved, however, 
a solid and safe investment, independent of the 
fluctuations of trade or business. The union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Hammond was blessed by the birth 
of six children, the eldest of whom, Charlotte A., 
is the wife of Josiah Wilson, of Pawnee City; Jo- 
seph A. is prosecuting fanning in Kansas; Nancy 
A. is the wife of John A. Perdew, of Nemaha Pre- 
cinct; William II.. Etta and Guy are at home with 
their parents. Mr. Hammond, politically, votes 
the straight Republican ticket. He may be num- 
bered among the self-made men who have risen 
from a humble position in life to a good standing, 
socially and financially, among their fellowmen. 
lie comes of excellent stock, people who have al- 
most uniformly been distinguished by their indus- 
try, sobriety, and all the qualities of character 



4= 



570 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



f 




which go to make up t he model citizen. His pa- 
ternal grandparents were Jonathan and Martha 

(Peppers) Hammond, who were of Scotch-English 
ancestry, and the parents of ten children. The 
mother of our subject traced her forefathers to 
England. 

ON. JOSEPH B. PEPOON. Nebraska, like 
many other of the Western States, was in 
the early days an object of attraction to a 
large proportion of more than ordinarily 
intelligent men, scions of substantial olu families, 
the record of whose history presents matters of very 
great interest to the biographer and the student. 
The family of whom the above-named gentleman 
is a most worthy representative are sketched on 
other pages in this work, and have left their indeli- 
ble impress upon the sands of time. Joseph B,,our 
subject, was one of the earliest pioneers of this 
county, settling on section 4 in Table Rock Pre- 
cinct a few months after Nebraska had been ad- 
mitted into the Union as a State. 

The experience of Mr. Pepoon on the frontier 
was not widely different from that of his neighbors. 
He took up by homestead claim I GO acres of wild 
land, from which he constructed one of the most 
valuable homesteads within the limits of Pawnee 
County. Upon it, when he took possession, there 
had not been turned a furrow, neither was there a 
tree nor a shrub, the whole being covered with a 
growth of luxuriant prairie grass. The bringing of 
the soil to a state of cultivation, the planting of 
fruit and shade trees, the erection of farm build- 
ings, the gathering together of the live stock 
and machinery, has involved the labor of years and 
the outlay of thousands of dollars. The proprie- 
tor cannot, however, fail to view with much satis- 
faction the results of his labors, and feel amply re- 
paid for his toils and sacrifices during the first years 
of his sojourn in this section of country. 

The farm of Mr. Pepoon is mostly enclosed by 
beautiful hedge fencing, of which he planted two 
and one-half miles. He has a good orchard and 
trees of the smaller fruits, and has gathered around 
his family the thousand and one little comforts and 
conveniences which have so much to do with the 



happiness of a home. Upon first coming here he 
put up a Cottonwood house of green wood, and as 
a natural consequence the boards all warped out of 
shape. The lumber he bought and hauled from 
Aspinwall, on the Missouri, and as the timber was 
green and warped out of shape he re-covered it with 
pine hauled from Table Rock. There was not then 
a bridge in the precinct, and Mr. P. assisted in the 
erection of the first structure of this kind across the 
Nemaha. He also assisted in the organization of 
his school district, which was effected in 18G8. He 
was also elected one of the first Directors of the 
district, and was Chairman of the board which was 
instrumental in the building of the first school- 
house at a cost of §250. 

Mr. Pepoon held the above-named office for a 
period of six years, and has been a member of the 
board from the first, officiating most of the time as 
Treasurer. He has also held other positions of trust, 
was elected County Commissioner by the Repub- 
licans in 1873, serving three years, and during 
which time many improvements were made in the 
iountj' in the building of bridges, improving the 
highways, etc. Table Rock Precinct claims that it 
has more good bridges than any other section in the 
county, and for this feature in its landscape is 
largely indebted to Mr. Pepoon. lie has ever sig- 
nalized himself as the friend of the enterprises cal- 
culated to build up the county, and thus improve 
the condition of its people. 

In the fall of 1877 our subject was elected State 
Senator to fill a vacancj'. In 1883 he was elected 
County Surveyor, serving at the time his brother- 
in-law, Mr. Howe, was County Superintendent of 
Schools, and had considerable to do with the laving 
out of roads, which work no one can dispute was 
well done. On his own premises are the modern 
improvements of the day, including hay-scales and 
windmill, with graded Short-horn cattle and excel- 
lent breeds of horses and swine. 1 1 is labors as an 
agriculturist have assisted in contributing in an 
equal manner to the reputation of the county. 

The surroundings of the early life of Mr. Pepoon 
no doubt had much to do with the development of 
a character naturally strong and self-reliant. He 
was born near the shores of Lake Erie, in Paines- 
ville, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1838, and lived there until a 



*4^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



-*hL* 



571 



lad of twelve years, lie then accompanied his par- 
ents tn the town of Warren, .In Daviess Co., 111., 
where lie completed bis education in the academy 
.•iml developed into a pedagogue, teaching school 

thereafter three winters. In the spring of 1800 he 
turned his steps toward the farther West, crossing 
the plains to Oregon with an ox-team, the journey 
occupying live months. In this enterprise he was 
accompanied l>y E. T. Boone and others, and jour- 
neyed by the way of the Platte River, Elkhorn, 
South Pass, Soda Springs and Humboldt River, 
ciussing the northern part of California and 
Honey Lake Valley. In the far Northwest he 
engaged in farming one year and until after the 
outbreak of the Rebellion. A few months later he 
enlisted, in November, 1861, in Company A, 1st 
Oregon Cavalry, and served on the frontier three 
years. The regiment expected to be sent South to 
take part in putting down the Rebellion, but the 
Indians being emboldened by the absence of so 
many men who had gone to the war, their services 
were required on the frontier, and the regiment was 
detailed mostly to meet emigrants and escort them 
in safety to their destination. They had several 
fights with the savages, and in the discharge of their 
duties traveled all over that region of country. 
Mr. Pepoon with his company was discharged 
in November, 1864, at Ft. Vancouver, W. T., 
whence he returned to Oregon, and at Dallas 
City was engaged as a clerk in a store. The year 
following, however, he returned to his old home at 
Warren. 111., being drawn thither b}' an attraction 
impossible to resist. 

This attraction to which we have alluded was a 
most estimable young lady, Miss Elizabeth Shaw, 
to whom our subject was married April 19, 1866. 
They sojourned in the Prairie State a few months, 
then sought their new home in Nebraska, of which 
they have since been residents. In due time there 
came to the fireside seven bright-faced children, 
with three of whom they were called to [art at a ten- 
der age. The survivors are Elsie, George W., Philip 
W. and Mabel, who arc all at home with their par- 
ents and being given a thorough education. 

Mrs. Elizabeth (Shaw) Pepoon was born at 
Nora, Jo Daviess County. 111., July 4, 1840, and is 
the daughter of Eneas Shaw, a native of Massachu- 



setts and now deceased. He married Miss Sila 
Phipin, and they became the parents of thirteen 
children. Mr. Shaw emigrated from his native 
State to Illinois at an early date and was one of the 
pioneer settlers of Jo Daviess County. He was a 
man of fine abilities and great kindness of heart, 
universally respected by all who knew him. Mrs. 
Pepoon was a member of the Free-Will Baptist 
Church, a lady who was a most suitable helpmate 
for her husband, proving his assistant and encotir- 
agerin every worthy ambition. She was well edu- 
cated, having completed her studies in Hillsdale 
College, Michigan. She died March 7, 1886. and 
was buried in the lawn of the home she loved so 
well, by the side of her three children. In the bi- 
ographies of John W. Shaw and 0. D. Howe will 
be found further details in regard to these families, 
who wherever they made their residence were 
numbered among the best elements of the commu- 
nity. In politics Mr. Pepoon has always been a 
strong Republican. 



— 5-h-H3*£Ht+-S- 




RED SAXENBERGER, M. D., one of the 

most courteous and dignified members of 
his profession, commands the respect and 
confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, 
as well by this as by his skill in connection with his 
profession. He was born in Dessau, Prussia, in 
1840, and received the rudiments of his literary 
education in the public schools of his native land, 
where he thoroughly prepared himself for the clas- 
sical ami professional course which followed. 

Dr. Saxenberger entered the Leipsic Medical In- 
stitute in Saxony, in 1S63, taking the full course 
of study, as prescribed by the Homeopathic and 
Eclectic Schools of Medicine and Surgery. He was 
graduated in 1867, receiving from his college a di- 
ploma. He also acquired an education in the clas- 
sics, covering metaphysics, science, philosophy and 
the arts. He has been a close student all his life, a 
keen observer of passing events, and has kept him- 
self well abreast of the progress made in the science 
of medicine. 

In 1869 Dr. Saxenberger emigrated to America, 
landing in the city of Baltimore. Thence he pro- 



•*•■ 



T 



572 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



ceeded to New York City, where he had friends. 
and subsequently to Omaha, this State, where he 
began the practice of his profession and was emi- 
nently successful. After a residence of six years 
in that city he changed his abode to Seward, Neb., 
where he followed his practice a period of seven 
years. He was subsequently a resident of Waco 
one year, then removed to Humboldt, where he so- 
journed two years; was next at Dawson two years, 
and in Ma)-, 1888, established a drug-store at Stei- 
nauer, where he has since lived. He possesses a 
degree of erudition seldom attainable outside the 
thorough institutions of Germany. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary E., 
daughter of George and Catharine Wiseman, was 
celebrated in York County, this State, on the 7th of 
March, 1884. The three children born to them are 
all deceased. Mrs. Saxenberger is a very estimable 
lady, intelligent, and possessing excellent conversa- 
tional powers. Their home is a model of neatness 
and comfort. Both the Doctor and his lady are 
members in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and are numbered among' i its]raost_active 
workers. Dr. S. before emigrating to America served 
in the German Army the allotted time required from 
the sons of the Fatherland. He has become thor- 
oughly identified with the interests of his adopted 
country, and especially with those of Pawnee 
County. 



W WILLIAM BARR represents the agricultural 
interests of Pawnee County as an active 
and prosperous farmer of .Mission Creek 
Precinct, successfully managing his farm, compris- 
ing the northeast quarter of section 18, that for fer- 
tility and productiveness is unsurpassed by any in 
its vicinity. Mr. Barr is descended from a sterling 
Celtic ancestry, from whom he derives those tine 
traits of character that mark him as a man and as a 
citizen. His progenitors on both sides of the house 
were of Irish birth. His maternal grandparents. 
Arthur and Helen ((ioodfellow) Williamson, were 
reared and married in their native Ireland, and 
subsequently coming to America with their family 
located in East Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y.. 
where Mr. Williamson followed agriculture. In 



f 



1858 he went to Elizabeth Township, Jo Daviess 
Co., 111., to spend his last days with his daughter, 
and died at her home in 1864, at the age of sixty- 
five years. His wife, who survived him until l«7:i. 
died at the age of sixty-seven, retaining her eye- 
sight in a remarkable degree, so that she never had 
to wear glasses. 

The parents of our subject, Robert and Elizabeth 
(Williamson) Barr, were natives of Ireland, born 
respectively in Counties Antrim and Monaghan. 
The father was the youngest of four sons. He 
learned the cooper's trade in his native land, and 
when about twenty-one years of age emigrated to 
this country, and locating in Glens Falls, Wash- 
ington Co., N. Y., engaged in coopering in that 
place for some time. He was married in New York, 
and continued living there until 1853. when he re- 
moved to Jo Daviess County, III., and buying forty- 
acres of land in Hanover Township, put up a cooper 
shop and actively engaged in his calling. His death 
occurred in that place in 1860, when lie was forty- 
seven years of age. His community thus lost a use- 
ful and honored citizen, as in all respects he was an 
upright man. He took an intelligent interest in the 
political proceedings of his adopted country, and 
sided with the Whig part}-. He left a widow and 
seven children to mourn their loss, as follows: Will- 
iam; Elizabeth II., now Mrs. Spear, of Illinois; 
Anna Mary, Mrs. Morton, of Nebraska; Mattie J., 
Mrs. Wiley, of Nebraska; Sarah M., Mrs. Dick, of 
Liberty, Neb. ; J. D. and Joseph, of whom see sketeh 
on another page. Fortunately for the family so 
bereft when some of the children were mere in- 
fants, the mother was a capable, noble-hearted wo- 
man, devoted to her children, and she managed by 
hard labor to keep them together until they became 
self-supporting. In 1879 she sold the homestead 
left by her husband, and accompanied her sons to 
Nebraska, and died at their home Oct, 26, 1886, at 
the age of sixty-two years. She was a sincere Chris- 
tian, and an active member of the United Presby- 
terian Church. 

Our subject was born Aug. 2, 1846, near the town 
of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. The early years 
of his life were passed in the town of Glens Falls, 
and his education was begun in a public school at 
East Hebron. He was eight years old when he ac- 



r 



«► l l^ « l » 



PAWNKK COUNTY. 



■fc IB rfn 



companied his parents to their new home in Illi- 
nois, and after that he assisted on the farm, and 
made the most of the limited school advantages af- 
forded in those pioneer times. His father died 
when he was fourteen years of age, and the man- 
agement of the farm fell in a great measure to him, 
and he thus early developed manly self-reliance. 
Besides working on the home farm he occasionally 
worked out until he was eighteen years of age. While 
he was thus bearing the burdens of manhood while 
yet a boy, the great Civil War had been raging, 
and with patriotic ardor he longed to take part in 
the strife. His opportunity came when he was 
eighteen years of age, and in October, 1864, he 
hastened to emhrace it, enlisting in that month in 
Company K. 96th Illinois Infantry, and was mus- 
tered in at Galena as a member of the 2d Brigade, 
1st 1 division, -4th Army Corps, and sent to Camp Ba- 
ker. After drilling there two months he was dis- 
patched with the rest of his regiment to Nashville, 
Tenn., by way of Louisville, to join Thomas' army. 
He and his comrades were sent immediately to the 
front and took part in the engagement at Nashville, 
having two days' experience of hard lighting ami 
two days of skirmishing. 

Our subject's regiment then went into winter 
quarters at lluntsville, Ala., and remained there 
until the spring of 1865, when they were ordered 
to Hull's (Jap to guard it until after the fall of 
Richmond. Subsequent to that event they were sent 
to Nashville. Tenn., where they camped a month, and 
our subject was then transferred to the 21st Illinois 
Infantry. Grant's old regiment, and dispatched to 
New Orleans. After being in camp there a month 
the 21st proceeded to Texas to guard the frontier. 
being stationed at Green Lake, and were encamped 
on the Guadeloupe River. Mr. Ban- was mustered 
out Oct. 11. 1865, at Victoria. Tex., sent home by 
the way of New Orleans and Cairo, and paid off at 
Springfield, having served his country for manj 
months with the heroism and fidelity of the true 
soldier. While in the army he contracted pleurisy 
in his left side, which still affects him. 

After our subject's retirement from the service 
lie returned to his mother's home, and carried on 
the old homestead until 1878, when he sold his per- 
sonal property, and coming to Pawnee Countj bj 



rail, located in Pawnee City. He rented a farm ad- 
jacent to the city, although there was no road to 
it. and conducted agriculture thereon fortwo years. 

In 1879 he I ghl his present place, i sisting of 

160 acres of wild, uncultivated land, and in 1880 
moved onto it. lie immediately broke the soil, 
set out groves, and a five-acre orchard of lOOtrees; 
fenced ami cross-fenced his laud in hedge and wire; 
put up a conveniently arranged house, good barns, 
and other necessary buildings, and now has a farm 
that, in point and value of improvements, compares 
favorably with any in the precinct. He is success- 
fully engaged in raising and feeding cattle, his herd 
being finely graded, and in raising hogs and horses, 
having ten head of the latter, and he also devotes 
much time to tilling the soil. 

October 7, I880,our subject secured, by his mar- 
riage to Miss Nannie Brooks, a devoted wife, who 
looks well to the ways of her household and looks 
carefully after the wants of her family. Their 
pleasant home circle is brightened by the presence 
of the three children who have been born of their 
marriage — Elmer S.. William .1. ami Arthur L. 
Mrs. Barr was born .May 18, 1853, near Brighton, 
Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and is the daughter of 
Mathew and Jane (Campbell) Brooks. Her father 
took part in the War of 1812. He kept a hotel and 
managed a farm in Beaver. Pa., and became very 

well-to-do in this world's g Is. He subsequently 

moved to Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 
his return to Pennsylvania. He settled in Lawrence 
County, that State, and there rounded out a life of 
eighty-four years, dying in 1859. He was a war 
Democrat, ami was an influential man in his com- 
munity, holding the office of Justice of the Peace, 
besides other civic positions. Mrs. Brooks died in 
1845, at the age of thirty-five, leaving three chil- 
dren, as follows: .lane. Mrs. C. Orinner, of Penn- 
sylvania; Martha, Mrs. Slater, of this county. Nan- 
nie. Mrs. Barr, was left an orphan when six years old. 
and after that lived with a half-sister in Beaver 
Falls. Pa., until she came to Nebraska, in 1879, for 
her health. 

Before he attained man's estate Mr. Barr proved 
himself a brave ami faithful soldier, and in after 
years he has been a no less loyal and useful citizen. 
Since becoming a resident of Mission Creek Pre- 



•+~>^+ 



574 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



cinct he has interested himself in its welfare, and 
has been especially active in educational matters, 
and lias served on the School Board two terms. In 
politics lie is a straight Republican, and uses his 
influence to promote the success of his party, and 
has been a delegate to its conventions. He served 
on the Petit Jury in Galena, lie and his wife are 
among the most zealous members of the United 
Presbyterian Church at Mission (reck, of which he 
has been a Trustee, and the record of their daily 
lives shows that they are guided by high Christian 
principles. They are well liked in this community, 
and have many warm friends among the best people. 



*$* 



4 



' flp^ DMUND W. BELL makes his home in Paw- 
nee Precinct, and is a citizen held in high 
estimation by the people of this section, lie 
was the recent Union Labor candidate for the 
Legislature, lie was born twenty miles from the 
city of Cleveland. Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1853, 
the home of his parents being then across the line 
in Geauga County, east. John C. Bell, the father 
of our subject, was a native of Massachusetts and a 
fanner by occupation. His mother was Miss Lydia 
Sturdevant. a native of Vermont, and born in 
1812. being the junior of her husband three years, 
his birth having taken place in 1809. Her parents 
removed at an early date to Ohio, and she was mar- 
ried in Geauga County. In 1854 the parents of 
our subject migrated westward to Ogle County. 
111., where they lived ten years, and in 1864, leav- 
ing the Prairie State, came to Nebraska and set- 
tled on a farm across the road from that which our 
subject now occupies in Pawnee Precinct. The 
father homesteaded a claim, which he proved up, 
and from it constructed a good farm, which he occu- 
pied until his death, which occurred in October, 
1880. The mother died Jan. 29, 1889. They were 
the parents of five children, three sons and two 
daughters, namely: Freeman: Harriet, the wife of 
P. B. Horton; John B., Lydia, and Edmund, Jr. 

Our subject was a lad of ten years when his par- 
ents came to this county, and he prosecuted his 
education first in the common schools, pursuing his 
studies in Nemaha Valley Seminary, at Pawnee 



City, where he attended five years. Later w r e 
find him a student of the State Normal School at 
Peru, where he spent two years. He subsequently 
occupied himself for a time as a teacher. His busi- 
ness career opened as a dealer in cattle and horses. 
and later he turned his attention more exclusively 
to agricultural pursuits. He. however, had always 
been inclined to books and newspapers, and now 
became one of the editors and proprietors of the 
Pawnee Banner, at Pawnee City, with which he 
was connected line year, and then sold out. Soon 
afterward he removed to the farm upon which he 
now lives, and he is making a specialty of Ilamble- 
tonian horses and thoroughbred Short-horn cattle, 
having of the former sixteen head, and of the lat- 
ter usually keeping a herd of twenty. 

On the 30th of May, 1883, Mr. Pell was united 
in marriage with Miss Maggie C. Dunn, of Bur- 
lington. Iowa. This lady was born Dec. 25, 1862, 
in Iowa, anil is the adopted daughter of Mr. 
Dunn. They have one son, Carlisle Ritchie, who 
was born Nov. 24, 1885. Mr. Bell is a man who 
keeps himself well posted on matters of general in- 
terest, and has given due attention to the leading 
questions of the day. 



-*f^3$£M* 



UILSON C. STARKEY. Burchard is rap- 
idly advancing to a leading position among 
WW the enterprising cities of the West. It 
has been her good fortune to attract within her 
borders numbers of enterprising and energetic men, 
and among them the subject of this memoir occu- 
pies no unimportant position. He is at present 
conducting a lucrative hardware trade, combining 
with this also the sale of agricultural implements, 
and numbers among his friends and patrons many 
of the leading farmers in this part of the State. 
His career has been notable for uprightness in the 
transaction of business, while as a citizen he is 
liberal and public-spirited, uniformly giving his 
support to the enterprises tending to build up his 
comtnunit}', socially, morally and financially. 

The boyhood home of our subject was near the 
little town of Roscoe, Coshocton Co., Ohio, where 

. ■► 



f 



•<* 



■*HW« 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



575 



4 



his birth took place Sept. 2. 1846. Until nine 
years of age he remained at his father's farm, at- 
tending the district school, then repairing to town, 
entered the High School. His hopes and plans in 
that direction, however, were frustrated by the 
early death of his mother, and he was then placed 
among strangers and thrown largely upon his own 
resources. When a boy of ten he started out for 
himself, and was employed mostly working upon 
different farms in his native county until after the 
outbreak of the Rebellion. On the 22d of July, 
1863, before reaching his seventeenth year, he en- 
listed as a Union soldier in Company M, 9th Ohio 
Cavalry, which was assigned to the command of 
Gen. Sherman. He was mustered in at Camp Den- 
nison, and shortly afterward the regiment was 
ordered South, marching through Kentucky and 
Tennessee into Alabama, and at Decatur joined the 
army of Gen. Rosseau. There had been consider- 
able skirmishing on the way, but our hero escaped 
unharmed, although he hurt his foot so seriously 
while getting over a fence that he was obliged to 
enter the hospital at Nashville, and was laid up for 
two months. He recovered, however, in time to 
participate in the battle which followed at that 
place, and later joined the army of Gen. Sherman, 
meeting the enemy at Fa3'etteville, Bentonville, 
Salisbury and Hillsboro, N. C. His batallion fired 
the last round at Johnson's army before the sur- 
render. 

Later, our subject, with his comrades, was placed 
on guard duty around Lexington and other places, 
and at the close of the war received his honorable 
discharge. He had engaged in fifteen regular bat- 
tles besides numerous skirmishes, making a mirac- 
ulousescape. Upon leaving the service he returned 
to his home in Ohio, and employed himself upon a 
farm until his marriage. Leaving Ohio in 1868 he 
made his way to McLean County, 111., locating on 
a farm near Pleasant Hill, and turned his attention 
largely to stock-raising. In 1870 he went back to 
Ohio, and changing his occupation somewhat, en- 
gaged in coal mining, remaining there until the 
spring of 1880. 

We next find Mr. Starkey on his way to Ne- 
braska, and soon after his arrival in this county he 
purchased a tract of partially improved land in 



West Branch Precinct. He completed the improve- 
ments and engaged in farming and stock-raising 
until 1883, when he concluded to invest a portion 
of his capital in a stock of hardware, and associated 
himself with Messrs. Wing and Bell, they operating 
together under the firm name of Wing, Starkey & 
Bell. Mr. S. sold out six months later, and changing 
his occupation materially, purchased the outfit of the 
Pawnee Banner, and conducted this paper two 
years quite successfully. Upon selling, or taking 
for it in exchange a drug-store, he soon afterward 
sold the latter and purchased a farm of 120 acres 
in Miles Precinct. This was also partially im- 
proved, and he occupied it a year, then turned his 
attention to general merchandising at Violet, asso- 
ciating himself with Mr. Walch, under the firm name 
of Walch & Starkey. A year later our subject re- 
sumed farming, but in the meantime disposed of 
his mercantile interest to his partner and purchased 
a farm. He thus had 200 acres, upon which he 
farmed until the fall of 1887. He then purchased 
the Neivs, which was under his editorial manage- 
ment until Jan. 1, 1888. In March following he 
became interested in the hardware trade, and estab- 
lished himself in his present business. 

The marriage of W. C. Starkey and Miss Frances 
Carter was celebrated at the bride's home near Ros- 
coe, Ohio, Mayo, 1867. Of this union there were 
seven children: Ida, deceased; Frances; Amelia, 
who died at the age of one year; Sophia, William, 
George and Louis. They occupy a pleasant home 
in Burchard, and Mr. Starkey, notwithstanding his 
numerous business interests, has always found time 
to interest himself in the prosperity of his adopted 
city, serving on the School Board, and occupying 
other positions of trust. In Ohio he was Assessor 
and Road Supervisor, and is a man who invariably 
makes his mark wherever he sojourns. Socially, he 
belongs to the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R., both 
of Pawnee City. 

In religious matters Mr. Starkey is identified 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Violet, 
being one of the charter members and a Trustee, 
Politically, he is independent, and has often served 
as a delegate to the County and State Conventions. 
In Ohio in 1879 he was selected as a candidate of 
the Greenback party for the State Legislature, and 



f 



JU 



570 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



♦HMl 



in Nebraska, in 1884, was made the candidate of 
the Fusion ticket. This party being in the minor- 
ity be expected defeat, but lie made a good record, 
and does not consider it anything to his discredit. 
The father of our subject was Timothy Starkey, 
also a native of the Buckeye State, and born near 
Adamsville, in Muskingum County, in 1820. He 
married Miss Rebecca Phillips, a native of the same 
county, who was born in 182:J. The paternal 
grandfather. William Starkey, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of tanner. 
He removed to Ohio at an early date, where he 
followed his trade in connection with farming for 
a time, then pushed on further westward into In- 
diana, where he died in 185G, at the age of sixty 
years. He was of German descent, while the Phil- 
lips family traced their forefathers to England. 

Timothy Starkey was reared to man's estate in 
Ohio, where he was married, and prosecuted farm- 
ing in Muskingum County during the younger 
years of his life. Later he became interested in 
transportation on the Ohio Canal, and became 
owner of several boats. In 1850 he took up his 
residence in Roscoe, and operated as superintendent 
of a sawmill for a period of nine years. Upon 
abandoning this he engaged in farming in that 
vicinity, but upon the outbreak of the Civil War 
volunteered his services as a Union soldier, enlist- 
ing in Company D, 80th Ohio Infantry. The 
regiment was ordered to Tennessee, engaged in 
skirmishing mostly, and finally went to Georgia, 
where Mr. Starkey was taken ill, sent to Nashville, 
Tenn., and finally was obliged to accept his honor- 
able discharge. 

The father of our subject, upon retiring from 
the service, resumed farming near his old place in 
Ohio, and spent his last days in the vicinity of Ros- 
coe, dying in 1887 at an advanced age. The 
mother had preceded her husband to the silent land 
a period of thirty-two years, her death taking 
place in 1855. Timothy Starkey was a man of 
good abilities and quite prominent in local affairs. 
serving as Justice of the Peace and Township 
Supervisor. He was an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as Steward, 
and was for nine years Superintendent of the Sun- 
day-school. The parental family included five 



children, namely: William, who died when about 
twenty-two; Mary, who died at the age of six; 
Wilson Cooper, our subject; Elizabeth, making her 
home in Ohio; and Silas, deceased. 



~w~«nej2t^@. 



>^®|xii/JW*v.'wv- 



OLIN W. GRIFFING, mason and contrac- 
tor in brick and stone, i> a worthy repre- 
sentative of the industrial element of Table 
Rock, and one of the substantial and honored citi- 
zens <>f Pawnee County. Coming here with his 
parents when an infant, ere the country was set- 
tled, lie has with truth grown up with the town, 
and been an eye witness of the transformation 
which has changed it from an unbroken prairie, 
over which the untutored Indians roamed, to a 
thriving village, populated by an intelligent and 
industrious class of people. 

Our subject was born in Wayne County, Pa., 
Oct. 8, 1856, and is a son of the Hon. George L. 
(I rifling, a very early settler of Pawnee County. 
Olin Griffing received a good common-school edu- 
cation in this precinct, remaining at home until 
twenty years of age. when lie learned the plasterer's 
trade of his brother Arthur, with whom he is now 
connected in business. After acquiring a knowl- 
edge of his trade our subject bought a farm, and 
fur si >ine years was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, lie made all of the usual improvements, 
having fenced his farm, erecting a convenient 
house and oat-buildings, and setting out a good 
orchard. In the year 1887 Mr. Griffing traded 
that property for an implement store, which he 
managed for a year, selling it out in October. 
1888. Our subject anil his brother Arthur are two 
of the twelve citizens now living in Table Rock 
who came here as early as 1857. and since attain- 
ing manhood they have done their share toward 
building up the town. Mr. Griffing is pleasantly 
loeatei 1 in a residence of his own on Pawnee street, 
the lot on which it is situated comprising half an 
acre of ground. Our subject is a public-spirited 
man. who has readily assumed all the responsibili- 
ties resting upon him as one of the practical, capa- 
ble and energetic business men of the town. For 
five years he served faithfully as a member of the 



*V 



«**■ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



577 



u 




Scl I Board of Clear Creek Precinct, District No. 

in, whore he was Director, .iiid by virtue of his 
office Chairman of the building committee which 

had charge of the erection of the school-house. 
In politics he is a firm Republican; socially, he 
is a member of the Knights of Pythias, ami both 
he ami his wife are valued members Of the .Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 

The marriage of Mr. Grilling with .Miss Matilda 
R, Conklin was solemnized in Table Rock. Sept. 
Ki. 1879. Their union has been blessed by the 
birth Of two children: Winford, born April 16, 
1881, and Lawrence W.. April 11. 1885. Mr. 
Conklin. the father of Mrs. Grilling, is a native of 
Pennsylvania. He married Mrs. Julia Hillings, 
whose maiden name was Bidwell, and settled in his 
native State, living there until 1ST'.), when he 
moved with his family to Nebraska and located in 
Table Rock, where he still lives, successfully en- 
gaged in his business as an engineer. 



/p^EORGE W. KELLY. Although a resident 
|| g-, of this county only since February,J1882, 

^^Jl Mr. Kelly has become thoroughly and fa- 
vorably known as one of its most reliable men. 
He purchased the land which he now occupies in 
1871. There was then upon it a small log house 
and thirty acres had been broken. It embraces 160 
acres, and occupies the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion I, in Clay Precinct. 

Seven years of plodding industry have effected a 
wonderful change in the condition of the property 
of Mr. Kelly, and no one would recognize it as the 
tract of land upon which stood the lonely looking 
cabin at the time of purchase by him, when the 
neighbors were few and far between. The whole 
is enclosed with neat and substantial fencing, and 
embellished with comfortable frame buildings. 
There is an apple orchard in good condition with 
about thirty cherry and other fruit trees. The farm 
is devoted to general agriculture, but Mr. Kelly 
rather makes a specialty of grain and stock, 

As far back as the records have been preserved 
we find this branch of the Kelly family established 
first in Maryland. Joseph, Sr. and Jr., were the 



father and paternal grandfather of our subject, and 
both were natives of Maryland. Grandfather Kelly 
emigrated with his family to Ohio, settling in Perry 
County, where Joseph. Jr., married Miss Rebecca, 
daughter of Ephraim Tipton. Of this union there 
were born eight children : William II. ; Mary J., now 
Mrs. John Forbes, of Illinois; Elizabeth, who mar- 
ried J. R. 1 1 iff, and is now deceased; George \\'.. 
our subject; Margaret L., Mrs. Charles Spangler; 
Joseph E., and two who died in infancy. Grand- 
father Kelly spent his last years in Illinois. 

When our subject was a little lad of seven years 
his parents removed to Tazewell County, 111., where 
he was reared to man's estate and acquired his edu- 
cation in the common school. His marriage took 
place in Logan County, that State, Feb. 18, 1875, 
with Miss Anna M., daughter of Aquillaand Adelia 
(Woland) Breech. The parents of Mrs. Kelly were 
both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were 
reared and married. They had a family of five 
children, all of whom lived to mature years, namely : 
Cecelia A., Anna M., Charles S., Flora L. (now de- 
ceased) and James O. Cecelia became the wife of 
William Minsker, and Flora married Harry Bry- 
son, and is now deceased. The mother in Novem- 
ber, 1868, went on a visit to her parents, in Illinois, 
and also with the view to an improvement in her 
health. She did not live to return to her family, 
her death taking place in February following, of 
consumption. In May, 1869, the father removed 
with his family to Illinois, and died in Logan 
County in 1874. 

Our subject engaged in fanning in Illinois until 
February. 1882, and thence came to this county. 
lie is a man who does not care to make himself 
very conspicuous in bis community but has his own 
ideas about things in general, and meddles very lit- 
tle with those of the outside world. He keeps 
himself posted on. current events, and watches with 
unalloyed satisfaction the triumph of the Repub- 
lican party. His neighbors look upon him as a man 
to be trusted at all times, and as one contributing 
his full quota to the standing and respectability of 
the county. 

Joseph Kelly, Jr., the father of our subject, was 
twice married prior to his union with the mother 
of the latter. His first wife was Miss Mary Moore, 



-+^U. 



•►4*-*- 



L 578 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



and she became the mother of two children: Rosa, 
who died in Clay Precinct, Eeb. 20, 1885, and was 
buried in Pawnee Count)' ; and John, who is now 
in Nebraska. He then married Miss Mary Hitch- 
cock, and of this union there was no issue. 



-**-*>- 



*&>£*&&&*- 





(JGUSTUS E. HASSLER. In this progress- 
ive age the weekly newspaper is one of the 
L first institutions to plant itself in a young 
community of any enterprise, and its ex- 
istence there indicates the general character of the 
people. The Pawnee Republican, of which A. E. 
and J. N. Ilassler are editors and proprietors, was 
established in 1868 by Hon. Thomas R. Fisher, of 
Brownville, who at one time conducted the Brown- 
ville Advertiser, its name being then the Paw- 
nee Tribune. The Republican was under his charge 
one year, during which time he made excellent 
headway, and then sold to Hon. J. L. Edwards, who 
conducted it successfully for one year, and then sold 
to F red 8. Ilassler. At the end of fifteen months 
the remaining half-interest was disposed of to F. S. 
and J. N. Ilassler, and in 1872 Augustus E. Ilass- 
ler, our subject, purchased the entire outfit and 
changed the name. The paper from its first estab- 
lishment has been Republican in politics. It is a 
seven-column quarto, and under its present man- 
agement is rapidly assuming a positior among the 
leading journals of Nebraska. 

The most decided qualities in the character of 
Mr. Ilassler were developed in his native .State of 
Pennsylvania, lie having been born in Westmore- 
land County, May 25, 1838. He was given a prac- 
tical education in the common schools, but later 
entered Mt. Union College in Stark County, Ohio, 
where he remained a student until the outbreak of 
the Civil War. Then, at the age of about twenty- 
three years, he enlisted in Company F. 12th Penn- 
sylvania Reserves, which was assigned to the Army 
of the Potomac. After three years' faithful serv- 
ice he veteranized in Company C, 190th Pennsyl- 
vania Infantry, remaining in the army until the 
surrender of Gen. Lee. He saw the smoke of bat- 
tle in some of the most important engagements of 
the war, taking part in the seven-days fight under 



Gen. McClellan in front of Richmond, aud also in 
the battle of Antietam. At the latter place he was 
wounded by a gunshot through the thigh, and was 
confined in the hospital, principally at Harrisburg, 
four months. Then, rejoining his regiment, he 
took part in the battle of Gettysburg, the Wilder- 
ness and Appomattox. He received his final dis- 
charge duly 3, 18G5. after a service of four years. 
Upon laying down the weapons of warfare Mr. 
Ilassler returned to his old haunts in Pennsylvania, 
engaged in teaching school two terms, aud was then 
appointed Storekeeper and Gauger of the Twenty- 
first Congressional District of Pennsylvania, a posi- 
tion which he held two years. In the fall of 1871 
he crossed the Mississippi, likewise the Missouri, aud 
coming to this county, engaged in his present news- 
paper enterprise at Pawnee City. He was married 
at Rostraver, Pa., in 1867, to Miss Lorinda Davis, a 
native of his own county in Pennsylvania, and the 
daughter of Davis Davis, of that county. To the 
fireside of Mr. and Mrs. Ilassler there came five 
children, three sons and two daughters, who are all 
living, forming au exceedingly bright and inter- 
esting group. The family residence is in the eastern 
part of the city, and our subject and his estimable 
lady number their friends among its best people. 



SpffLEXANDER K. GOUDY, Superintendent 
=/u| ( of the county schools, is a man possessing 
considerable force of character and native 
talent, and one of those who cast their lot 
with the people of Nebraska in the fall of 187-1. 
His early training was given him among the hills 
of the Buckeye State, he having been born near the 
city of Springfield, Clarke County. May 13, 1*17. 
He lived there until a Little lad of seven years. 
and then removed with his parents to Warren 
County. 111., where they settled near Monmouth, 
the county seat. The latter were Thomas B. and 
Nancy P. (Kirkpatrick) Goudy, natives of Ohio, 
and who spent their last years in Nebraska, the 
father passing away in February, 1886, and the 
mother March 10, 1888. 

The district school furnished to our subject his 
primary education, and among the peaceful pur- 



r 




PAWNEK COUNTY. 



■^Hh* 



579 



*t 



suits of farm Life he learned those habits of indus- 
try and economy which proved of use to him in 

after years. Later he became a student of the 
Normal University, where he gave close attention 
to his books for a period of two years, and then be- 
gan teaching. Later he resumed farming, which 
he prosecuted one year in t lie Prairie State, and as 
we have stated sought the farther West in 1874. 
He now became fully identified with its educational 
interests, and began operations in Pawnee City 
as a teacher in the public schools, also as Principal, 
which position he held a number of years, and then 
changed the held of his operations to North Platte, 
where he spent two years. 

At the expiration of this time Mr. Goudy estab- 
lished the Pawnee City Academy, winch was 
Opened in October. 1*77. and was conducted as a 
private school until January. 1883. On the 1st of 
that month he entered upon his duties as a teacher 
in the Nebraska State Normal School at Peru, re- 
maining there until 1881, then returned to Paw- 
nee City, and soon thereafter was elected County 
Superintendent of Schools. He was re-elected in 
the fall of 188G for a second term of three years. 

Mr. Goudy was married. .Tidy 11. 1882. to Miss 
Alice Daily, daughter of William Daily, of Ne- 
maha County. Mrs. Goudy was born in Madison, 
Ind.. and they are the parents of one child, a 
daughter, Anna, who was born Aug. 20, 1886. 
Mr. Goudy, politically, votes the straight Re- 
publican ticket, and both he and his estimable wife 
are members in good Standing Of the United Pres- 
byterian Church. 

„ IRAM FRAZEE, deceased, had been con- 
nected with the farming interests of Pawnee 
County for nearly a decade, and had within 
hat time developed from the wild prairie 
a productive and finely improved farm, that is 
justly classed among the most fertile and profitable 
estates in Mission Creek Precinct. It was a fine 
location on section 30, and here our subject built 
up a home that for comfort and coziness vied with 
an}' in the neighborhood. The other farm build- 
ings were neat and well kept, everything about the 

*. — 




place indicating the thrift, orderliness and industry 
of the owner. 

Mr. Frazee was horn Nov. 3, 1811, in Lebanon, 
Warren Co., Ohio, to Isaac and Elizabeth (Harrison) 
Frazee, natives of New Jersey, the father born in 
Elizabethtown, in the eastern part of that State. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject, John 
Frazee, who was of Scotch descent, was born in 
the New Jersey town mentioned. He was a private 
in the Revolutionary War, served seven years in 
the ranks, and was at one time a prisoner in New 
York City some twelve months. After the war he 
began farming in New Jersey. He afterward 
bought 500 acres of land in Warren County, Ohio, 
purposing to settle there as a pioneer, but in 1806, 
while on his way to that State, was smitten with 
death, he then being scarcely past the meridian of 
life, he being forty-six years old. The maternal 
grandfather of our subject, Isaac Harrison, was a 
New Jersey farmer, and was a lifelong resident 
of that State. Isaac, the father of Hiram FYazee, 
went to Ohio in 1806, when he was eighteen years 
old, and becoming an early settler of Warren 
County, began to clear a farm. He enlisted to 
quell Indian disturbances, under the leadership of 
Gen. Harrison, of Tippecanoe fame, and was with 
him when that noted battle was fought in Novem- 
ber, 1811. He afterward served for eighteen 
months in the American Arm}', under Col. Hopkins, 
in the War of 1812. He then returned to his pio- 
neer home in Warren Count}-, and reclaimed the 
remainder of sixty-five acres from the wilderness. 
In 1833 he became a pioneer of Clinton County, 
bought eight}' acres of land, engaged in farming 
and stock-raising, and there closed his life in 1840, 
at the age of fifty-two years. He was a man of 
strong character, and was a strict Presbyterian in 
his religious views. The mother of the subject of 
this memoir died in 1821, and the father was mar- 
ried a second time. Of the first, marriage there 
were five children born, namely: John, Hiram, 
Esther, Harrison ami Joseph, all now deceased. Of 
the second union there were the six following chil- 
dren: Isaac (deceased,) Betsy, Polly, Ann (de- 
ceased), Harriet and Pamelia. 

He of whom we write grew to manhood in the 
forest wilds of Ohio, and by the experiences of 



4= 



580 






PAWNEE COUNTY. 



*t 



pioneer life was molded into a stalwart, self-reliant, 
active youth. His education was gleaned in a pay 
school, and after he was sixteen years of age he 
ceased to attend. He remained at home until he was 
twenty-four. He then went to work for himself, 
renting his aunt's place in Warren County for 
twelve years. He then rented other farms in his 
native State until 1853, when he decided to try life 
in another State, and in the month of December 
went by boat to Naples, and thence to Sangamon 
County, 111., where he rented land for four years. 
He then took up his residence in Springfield, that 
State, where he remained a year. At the expira- 
tion of that time he resumed farming. In 1860 he 
bought forty acres of land near Springfield, and 
was actively engaged in its tillage and in raising 
stock until 1879, when he disposed of his property 
there, having decided to try farming under the 
sunn}' skies of Nebraska. Coming here by rail he 
rented land the first season, and thus gained time 
to look around for a place suited to his require- 
ments. He found such in his present farm, which 
was originally a tract of 160 acres of school land, 
with no improvement, and not a tree on it. He 
broke the soil, set out groves of forest trees, and 
an orchard of three acres, partly fenced his land, 
besides erecting a good set of farm buildings. Be- 
sides raising corn and the various other grains, 
vegetables, etc., usually raised by a Nebraska far- 
mer, Mr. Frazee raised horses of fine blood and 
well-graded hogs. In his farm labors he had the 
valuable assistance of his son, who was in partnership 
with him. On this place he lived until his death, 
which occurred Feb. 9, 1889. 

Hiram Frazee had been twice married. His first 
marriage, which took place in 1852, in Warren 
County, Ohio, was to Miss Nancy Casseday, who 
was born in Ohio in 1815, and died in 1858. His 
second marriage, June 17, 1802, in Sangamon 
County, 111., was to Miss Sarah J. Morrison, (laugh- 
ter of James and Jane (Ewing) Morrison, natives 
respectively of Butler County, Ohio, and of a 
place near Lexington, Scott Co., Ky. Her paternal 
grandfather, David Morrison, a native of New 
Jersey, became one of the pioneers of Butler 
County, Ohio, where he cleared a large farm. Mrs. 
Frazee's maternal grandfather, Robert Ewing, was 

«■ 



born in Juniata County, Pa., and when a young 
man went to Kentucky, and engaged in the Indian 
wars, and afterward settled there and engaged in 
hunting and farming. In 1807 he moved to Mont- 
gomery County, Ohio, but remained there only a 
short time before removing to Butler Count} 7 , 
where he bought 200 acres of forest covered land, 
cleared it, and continued to farm it until his re- 
tirement. He then went to Illinois with his grand- 
children, and there died in 1856, at the venerable 
age of eighty-six years. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Mary Brown, was of Scotch descent and 
of Kentucky birth. She died in Ohio in 1846. 
Mrs. Fiazee's father grew to manhood in Ohio, and 
there learned the carpenter's and also the shoe- 
maker's trade. He continued in his native count}', 
engaging in farming the latter part of his life, 
until his death in 1831, while } - et in life's prime, 
he being but thirty-three years of age. He was a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and a man 
whose sterling worth was acknowledged by all who 
came in contact with him. Mrs. Frazee's mother 
died in Illinois, Dec. 31, 1887, at the advanced age 
of eighty-two years. She had three children: 
John, who is deceased; Robert, in Illinois, and 
Sarah, the wife of our subject. The latter was born 
on the banks of the Big Maumee River, in Butler 
County, Ohio, Dec. 10,1828. Her father dying 
when she was a child of three years, she went to 
live with her grandparents, and was twenty-three 
years old when they moved to Sangamon County, 
III. Of her marriage with Mr. Frazee two children 
have been born — William M. and Mary E. William 
is a very enterprising, intelligent young man. He 
was born in Island Grove Township, Sangamon 
Co., 111., Oct. 30, 1863, and since coming to 
Nebraska has identified himself with the 3'oung 
agriculturists who are fast winning an important 
place in the farming community of Pawnee County. 
He ably assisted his father in making the improve- 
ments on his farm, and on him has now devolved its 
management. He is an ardent Republican in poli- 
tics. Mr. Frazee's daughter was born in Island 
Grove Township, 111., Dec. 13, 1866, and also 
resides at home. 

Mr. Frazee was a man of high moral character, 
and possessed in a great degree the acumen, fore- 



-+Z**-*« 



«^- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



581 



sight and frugality that characterized his Scotch 
ancestry. He had withal a kind disposition, and 
the needy and suffering never appealed to him in 
vain for sympathy and material aid. He was a 
thorough Democrat in his political sentiments, and 
took an intelligent view of questions of National 
import. He interested himself in local affairs and 
had served on the School Board, doing all that 
he could to advance the cause of education, and 
the United Presbyterian Church at Mission Creek 
had in him one of its most respected members. His 
death was not only the cause of great grief to his 
family and personal friends, but was felt to be in 
some measure a public loss. 




ETER STEVENS, an energetic, exten- 
sive agriculturist of Table Rock Pre- 
cinct, is one of the pioneers of Nebraska, 
having become a resident of this State in 
the fall of 1860, when lie located in Spicer Precinct. 
Richardson County, pre-empting a tract of wild 
prairie land. During the twelve years that he 
lived there he added as many improvements as 
were made on any farm in that locality. He built 
fences, set out trees, and one line grove of forest 
trees, which is still standing, is a living testimony to 
his labor and industry. 

Our subject was horn in Upper Canada. .May !2. 
1840. Jacob Stevens, his father, was born at Pa- 
melia Four Corners. Herkimer Co.. N. V., in 1811. 
When a young man he emigrated with a colony to 
the Province of Ontario. Canada, where he settled, 
and .Ian. 1. is, ,,"!, there married Miss Mary Ann 
Monk. She was born in New York, Jan. 6, 1817, 
and is the daughter of Nicholas Monk.al-oa native 
of the Empire State. In 1845 Mr. Stevens moved 
with his family to Dodge County. Wis., and again 
took up new land, clearing a farm and living there 
until 1867, when he sold out ami moved to Cass 
County. Iowa. He purchased a more extensive 
grain and stock farm, on which he and his good 
wife are si ill living at advanced ages, they having 
spent together fifty-four years of uninterrupted 
peace and contentment. On dan. 1. 1885, they 
celebrated their golden wedding, our subject going 



East to attend it. There were present a goodly 
number of children and grandchildren to extend 

congratulations and g 1 wishes to the venerable 

couple. They reared a family of thirteen children, 
all of whom grew to maturity, and eight are still 
living. 

Peter Stevens, of whom we write, was but five 
years of age when his parents settled in Wisconsin, 
where he grew to man's estate, receiving a practical 
common-school education, which he has since made 
good use of. He assisted his father on the farm 
until 1860, when, on the 1st of November, he 
started with ayokeof oxen and alsooneof cows for 
the farming country of Nebraska. He traveled the 
entire distance, 600 miles, in six weeks, averaging 
fifteen miles a day. ami camped out nights. He 
was then a single man without cares, and made his 
first settlement in Richardson County, as before 
mentioned. The county was then sparsely popu- 
lated, no roads were laid out. and our subject as- 
sisted in locating and building them. During his 
residence in that county he did his full share in ad- 
vancing its interests, and was twice elected County 
Assessor, serving efficiently and faithfully in that 
Office. In 1862 Mr. Stevens enlisted in the army, 
and for thirteen months did valiant service on the 
field, having been a member of Company G, 2d 
Nebraska Infantry, which fought on the frontier. 
For a more extended accounl of the engagement in 
which he took part, see sketch of Lieut. C. H. Norris. 
After being honorably discharged he resumed his 
agricultural labors in Richardson County, sparing 
neither time nor expense in the improvement of his 
farm. In 1881, having an opportunity to dispose 
of his property in that county to a good advan- 
tage, he did so, and coming to this precinct, bought 
eighty acres of his presenl homestead, to which as 
he has been able he has steadily added, until now 
he owns a rich and productive farm of I LOacreS, all 
under good tillage or in pasture land. On it he has 
an orchard of 100 apple trees, besides an abundance 
of plums, cherries, and small fruits, and a plentiful 
Supply Of grapes. Our subject makes a specialty 

of stock-raising, having a large herd of a g I 

grade of cattle, a great number of hogs and horses, 
feeding out all of his own corn, and frequently be- 
ing obliged to buy more. lie has taken an active 



f 



•*Z*-*+ 



•►Hl^^ 



582 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



Hr 



*t 



part in local affairs, and assisted in reorganizing 
District No. 34. He is an able business man, whose 
energies have been expended with the most satis- 
factory results, he having risen by his own exer- 
tions from a penniless lad to a man of affluence. 
Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
likewise of the I. O. 0. F. and of the G. A. R. In 
politics he casts his vote with the Republican party, 
his first Presidential vote having been thrown for 
Abraham Lincoln. 

The marriage of Mr. Stevens with Miss Elvira 
Steele was solemnized in Richardson County, 
March 11, 1872. She was born in Northern In- 
diana. June 4, 1846. and is a daughter of John B. 
and Mary Anne (Foster) .Steele, natives respectively 
of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The grandfather 
Steele came from Holland, and her grandfather 
Foster lives in Indiana now at the age of ninety- 
five. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Steele 
lived for several years on a farm in Indiana, then 
moved to Missouri, where they lived until 18G8. 
(iiiiiing at that time to Nebraska, they bought land 
in liulo, and improved a farm, on which they are 
still living, retired from the active cares of life. 
M is. Steele is a faithful member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. To her and her husband were 
born thirteen children, all but one growing to ma- 
turity, and eleven of whom are living. The union 
of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the 
birth of eight children, seven of whom are still 
living, namely: Annette, Nellie, Nasilva, Will- 
iam Edgar, Elizabeth J., Amy and Eliza. All are 
yet members of the home circle, and are being well 
educated. 



\y ; AMES F. GILL, of Pawnee City, is a promi- 
nent representative of its livery, feed and 
transfer interests, and brought with him 
from his native State of Ohio those qualities 
which invariably go to make up the thrifty and 
enterprising citizen. He was born in Yinton 
County, that State, April 29, 1845, and is the son 
of John and Eliza (Hall) Gill, both natives of Ross 
County, Ohio. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
James Hall. Esq.. a man of considerable prominence 



«•- 



in his community. On the other side of the house 
Grandfather Joseph Gill was a native of Ire- 
land. John Gill, the father of James F., was born 
in the city of MeArthur, Yinton Co.. < >hio, in 1821. 
He was a farmer by occupation, and was cut down 
in his prime, being killed by an accident in 1849, 
at the age of twenty-eight years. The parental 
household consisted of three children, two sons 
and one daughter, of whom James F. was the 
eldest. 

The sister of Mr. Gill was a little child five 
months old at the time of their father's death, 
and the mother only lived six years thereafter. 
Mr. Gill was thus orphaned early in life, and left 
dependent upon his own resources. He was taken 
into the home of his paternal uncle, Samuel U. 
Gill, with whom he remained until the outbreak of 
the Civil War, in the meantime having removed to 
Illinois. He then enlisted in Company K, 40th 
Illinois Infantry, from the southern part of the 
State, in July, 1861. During his service of four 
years as a Union soldier, his regiment operated 
mostly with the Army of the Tennessee, and en- 
gaged in most of the battles of the long campaign 
which followed, being at Shilon, the sieges of Cor- 
inth. Memphis and Yicksburg. the right at Lookout 
Mountain, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, and 
the battle of Atlanta, where the brave Gen. Mc- 
Pherson was killed. Later they marched with the 
command of Gen. Sherman to the sea, and thence 
up through the Carolinas to Washington, taking 
part in the grand review. From there our subject 
was sent to Louisville, Ivy., and next to Spring- 
field, 111., where he was mustered out July 8, 1865, 
and received his honorable discharge. 

Upon retiring from the service Mr. Gill so- 
journed briefly at Clay City, 111., then returned to 
Ohio, and was married to Miss Nancy J. Dennison, 
of .MeArthur, in 1870. The} - settled on a farm, 
and remained in that State until 1872, when Mr. 
Gill determined to seek his fortunes in the farther 
West. Crossing the Mississippi and Missouri Riv- 
ers he took up his abode first in Furnas County, 
this State, and homesteaded 16(1 acres of land, 
which now forms the town site of Henley. He op- 
erated upon this land until 1884, then changed his 
residence to Pawnee City, and put up the lively 

— •► 



r 



JL 



-t^wr* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



583 



barn which he now occupies. This is a neat, 
strong structure, covering an area of 18x106 feet, 
witli a solid stone basement. Within it he keeps a 
line stock of horses and roail vehicles, which are 
patronized by the best peopleof the city. He also 
has an omnibus and hack line, and from the two 
combined realizes a handsome income. Socially, 
he belongs to the G. A. R., hut, takes little inter- 
est in politics aside from faithfully easting his 
vote with the Republican party. 



T 



-^^ 



JOHN C. WOOD. This gentleman is one 
of the farmers of Table Rock Precinct, 
owning and occupying 330 acres on sections 
19 and 20, his residence being on the for- 
mer. He first came to Nebraska in 1857, landing 
in Brownville on the 29th of May, and coming to 
Table Rock August 10 of the same year. His first 
land he secured by pre-emption, and when he got 
it it was nothing but raw prairie, on which he set 
out the first tree and turned the first furrow. lie 
has been a great advocate of tree culture, and at 
different times basset out large numbers, haying 
now about 800, living, on his place. He has upon 
his farm the finest orchard in the county, and also 
raises an abundance of grapes mid the smaller 
fruits in general. 

When Mr. Wood first came here he began to 
build a sawmill on the Nemaha, but about the time 
he got it completed the stream cut a new channel 
for itself, and left the mill high and dry. Since 
that he has given his whole attention to farming. 
He has made many improvements, having all the 
necessary farm buildings and a good, comfortable 
home. All the general improvements made upon 
the farm have been done by him, and it is now in 
a thrifty condition. He has always dealt largely in 
stock, and has bought more grain than he has sold. 
He usually has a herd of about fifty cattle, and a 
large number of hogs. For several years he kept 
as many as 500 or t>00 sheep, but he found that 
cattle paid better, and he abandoned dealing in 
sheep. 

In 1856 Mr. Wood went across the plains to 
Montana, being on the road from May 1 to July 

«* „ 



28. He at once began mining, and remained there 
two years, bringing home a fair amount of dust. 
His birthplace was in Albany County, N. Y., the 
date of that to him important event being March 
25, 1835. When he was two years old his parents 
moved to Cayuga County, N. Y., and there our 
subject lived for many years. He attended the 
common schools, and finished his education at the 
State Normal School, after which he taught for 
many years. Since coining to Nebraska he has 
made this his home, with the exception of two years 
which he spent in Brown County, Kan., but liking 
Nebraska better he returned, believing this to be 
the best place on earth. 

April 28, 1870, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Lleywood, in Tabic Ruck. 
Of this union there have been six children, four now 
living: Edgar W., Myron, Katie E. and Edith A., all 
of whom are living with their parents. Mrs. Wood 
was born in Ohio, and further particulars of her 
family history are given under the name of A. E. 
lleywood. Our subject has been prominent in 
school affair's in his district, and takes a warm in- 
terest in the cause of prohibition. 

— '" *' 4 * j ' II ' C ' S" "* — 




jjjEY. ZENAS B.TURMAN. By a happy dis- 
pensation Of Providence, men are appointed 
to various walks in life, sonic as tillers of 
"^ the soil, and others evidently created for 
the purpose of upholding a no less important cle- 
ment of human life — man's moral and religious 
nature. Among the men who came to Nebraska 
Territory before some of its counties had been or- 
ganized was the subject of this sketch, who first 
set foot upon its soil as carh a~ 1856. He spent 
his first winter at Rock Bluff, CaSS County, where 
hi assisted in the organization of a church, and the 
winter following proceeded as far west as Salt 
Creek, two years before there was any indication 
of the present city Of Lincoln. He made a tour of 
seven counties, preaching at intervals in sixteen 
places. Among his hearers was the chief Spotted 
Horse, and his band of warriors, to whom he dis- 
coursed by the aid of a Governmenl interpreter. 

In the interest of the Master he also preached at 






584 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



Four Mile Creek, west of Plattsmouth, Eight Mile 
< rrove, and Louisville, having at the latter plaee a 
great revival. 

Mr. Turner was the pioneer preacher of this 
region, being the first man to raise the standard of 
the cross in this section. In his journeyings he 
visited Wahoo and Pawnee, thirty miles north, 
journeyed up Salt Creek, ami visited Beatrice when 
it was a hamlet of six or eight wooden houses. He 
also went to Tecumseh and Nebraska City, sojourn- 
ing in the latter place with a Mr. Gould, a relative 
of the railroad king, Jay Could. Ittookabout 500 
miles' travel to encompass his circuit, he in the 
meantime frequently encountering storms, being 
out sometimes all uight, and often swimming his 
horse across the streams. A man of iron constitu- 
tion and strong will, he surmounted difficulties 
which at the present day would he considered al- 
most beyond the strength of man to overcome. 
Upon one occasion he started from the house of a Mr. 
Shaw, of Heat rice, during a severe snowstorm, finally 
lost his way. and giving his horse the rein, let the 
animal proceed at its will, and at night found him- 
self at the same door from which he had started. 

In 185S) Mr. Turman was located at Fontanelle, 
and the next year at Tekamah. He founded new 
church societies wherever possible, and assisted the 
feeble ones already struggling for existence. lie 
was the first man holding a religious meeting in all 
of Southern Dakota and that vicinity. At this 
time Indians abounded in this region, and white 
people were often massacred. At Fontanelle upon 
one occasion, he with others helped to subdue the 
Indians who had already murdered a number of 
whites, until a company of cavalry could be sent 
to theirrelief. They then started after the Indians 
( Pawnees), and Mr. Turman officiated as temporary 
chaplain for the soldiers. 

Mr. Turman. upon one occasion, in Dakota, Da- 
kota Co.. Neb., was stricken down with smallpox, 
but fortunately recovered after the weeks of suffer- 
ing incident with this terrible disease. He had 
identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal 
Conference, and was superannuated in 18G3. Since 
that lime he has been engaged considerably in 
Canning. lie was a resident of Nemaha five years. 
bat came to Pawnee County in the fall of 1871, 



taking up a tract of land four miles east of Table 
Rock. For the last six years he has been a resident 
of his present farm. He assisted in the organization 
of the first school district, and later was elected 
Mayor of Nemaha. During a long and useful ca- 
reer he has been honored and respected by all 
with whom he came in contact. 

Mr. Turman was born near Carlisle. Clinton Co., 
111., April 23. 1819, but when achUd removed with 
his parents to a point near Miriam. Sullivan Co., 
I ml. Later they changed their residence -to Foun- 
tain County, where the death of his father took 
place, and where young Turman was engaged in 
teaching a period of twelve years. In the mean- 
time he officiated as a supply in the pulpit of the 
Northern Indiana Conference, the Monticello Dis- 
trict. Upon one occasion he was sent to the Miami 
Indians, but the chief would not allow him to 
preach. Upon leaving Indiana he sojourned for a 
brief time in Illinois, and for four years was a 
colporteur for the Methodist Episcopal Conference. 

Our subject was first married to Miss Sarah 11. 
Swin/.ler. who became the mother of onechild, and 
died at an early age. In 1860 he was a second 
time married, at Omaha, to Miss Catherine A. (Jus- 
tin. They became the parents of seven children, 
of whom the following are living: The eldest. Anna 
E., is the wife of George Smith, of Nemaha City, 
and the mother of two children; James M. married 
Miss Clara Turner, and is living in this county; 
Mary L. is the wife of Lone Fisher. 

Jacob Turman. the father of our subject, was a 
native of Ohio, and spent the most of his life occu- 
pied as a preacher. The paternal grandfather, 
Benjamin Turman, was born and reared in the 
Buckeye State, whence he removed to Sullivan 
County, Ind., at an early day. being the first white 
man to settle within its limits. He secured land 
twenty-five miles south of the present city of Terre 
Haute, on what was subsequently named Turman 
Prairie. The grandmother was in her girlhood Miss 
Spurlock. a relative of the forefathers of Burwell 
Spurlock, at present a resident of Plattsmouth. 
Jacob Turman departed this life in 1834, at the age 
of forty-eight years. Benjamin (Justin, the father 
of Mrs. Turman. was a native of Indiana, where he 
was reared to manhood, married, and became the 



*t 



<•- 



«*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



585 



*- 



father of three children. The mother died when 
Mrs. Turman was an infant. She was reared in the 
family of Benjamin I!. Barclow, now a resident of 
Omaha, and removed with him from Ohio to 
Omaha, where she lived until her marriage. She 
was born Sept. 19, 1838, and received her education 
in the common schools of the Buckeye statu. The 
journey to the West was made in 1856, the same 
Near that Mr. Tnrman came to Nebraska. 



JOSEPH L. EDWARDS. Pawnee City has 
been an objective point for a large number 
of intelligent and capable men, the profes- 
sions being amply represented, as well as 
the more practical pursuits of life. Mr. Edwards, 
as one of the leading attorneys of this county, is 
contributing his quota to its standing and reputa- 
tion, and at the same time making for himself a 
good record, also acquiring a competence. He 
was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., near the 
present town site of Bristol, June 10, 1830. 

This branch of the Edwards family is essentially 
Southern, the grandparents on both sides of the 
house having been natives of Virginia. His par- 
ents, Owen and Amanda (Longacre) Edwards, were 
born in Tennessee, where they became the parents 
of five sons and three daughters, only four of 
whom are living. The father was a farmer by oc- 
cupation and Joseph L. assisted in the labors of 
the homestead until a youth of fifteen years. The 
family then removed to Davis County, Iowa, with 
the exception of our subject, who completed his 
education in Tennessee. Then he joined his parents 
in Iowa and engaged in teaching, which profession 
he followed about five years. 

In June, 18G0, Mr. Edwards migrated to this 
county, at a time when Pawnee City was a hamlet 
of five or six houses. For several winters follow- 
ing he taught school and pursued the study of law 
during his leisure hours, which he had began while 
in Tennessee. He was finally employed in the 
office of the Count}' Clerk, but in 18C9 purchased 
the Pawnee Tribune, which had been established 
by P. R. Fisher, and was the first paper started at 
that place. Later its name was changed to that, of 



•++■ 



the Pawnee Republican.. Mr. Edwards conducted 
this successfully as editor and proprietor for some 
time, but later sold out, and was appointed Judge 
of the Probate Court to fill the vacancy occasioned 
by the resignation of \V. F. Wright. At the ex- 
piration of the term he was regularly elected to 
the office, which he held five years. At the same 
time he carried on the business of a druggist and 
officiated as Postmaster, also as Deputy County 
Treasurer. Upon retiring from the Judge's bench 
he turned his attention more exclusively to the 
practice of law, which he has pursued to the 
pn sent time in connection with the duties of his 
official position. He gives due attention to col- 
lections and loans, and enjoys a good income from 
the several sources. 

Miss Sarah A. Ball, of Pawnee City, became the 
wife of our subject in October, 18G3. Mrs. Ed- 
wards was born in Muskingum Count}', Ohio, and 
is the daughter of Reason Ball. Of this union 
there have been born four children, all daughters. 
The eldest, Elma L., is the wife of Charles B. 
Wortham ; Florence Mabel and Alberta are de- 
ceased ; and May is at home. 

Mr. Edwards, during his earl}' manhood, affili- 
ated with the Republican party, but is liberal in his 
political views, and aims to support the men best 
qualified for office. Socially, he belongs to the 
I. O. O. F., Interior Lodge No. 9, and Pawnee 
Lodge No. 23. In religious matters he inclines to 
the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. 



->;., 



ffi OHN II. BRATTON. Dotted here and there 
throughout Pawnee Precinct are scores of 
homesteads which stand as silent monuments 
A®)// to the industry and patience of the pioneer 
settlers of Nebraska, some of whom have passed to 
their long home, and their property is now occupied 
by others. To those who are maintaining the repu- 
tation of their estate by the same plodding indus- 
try and good judgment are we no less indebted 
than to those who first established themselves on 
the virgin soil. 

Mr. Bratton is numbered among the most enter- 
prising men of Pawnee Precinct, to whose agricult- 




4= 



586 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



ural interests be is contributing in no small degree. 
He gives his attention largely to graded stock, and 
is able to exhibit some of the finest animals to be 
found in this part of the county. He was well 
fitted by his early life and surroundings for an act- 
ive and successful career, being a son of the Buck- 
eye State, born March 7, 1837, near Winchester, in 
Guernsey Count}-, where he lived until a youth of 
nineteen years. His parents were William and 
Martha (Henderson) Bralton.the father a native of 
Juniata County, Pa., the mother of Guernsey 
Count}', Ohio. The former settled there with his 
parents, remaining in his adopted State after his 
marriage until 185G. 

In the year above mentioned William Bratton 
determined to seek his fortunes in the farther West, 
and accordingly migrated across the Mississippi and 
settled with his family near the Wapsipinicon River, 
in Jones County, Iowa. Later they changed their 
residence to Adams County, that State, where, the 
parents looked their last upon the scenes of earth, 
the mother surviving her husband three years. 
Their family consisted of four sons and foiw 
daughters, all of whom lived to maturity, and of 
whom John was the eldest born. All of these are 
still living, and make their homes in Iowa and 
Nebraska. 

The common schools furnished to young Bratton 
the rudiments of a practical education, while his 
own native shrewdness and habits of observation 
contributed to make of him a man more than ordi- 
narily well informed. His first ambition was to 
secure ahome and a farm of his own, and he judged 
that with a companion and helpmate this task would 
not be impossible. He was accordingly married, 
Oct. 7, 1862, to Miss Lucy A. Gilbert, who was 
born in Chardon. Ohio, and moved with her father. 
Russell Gilbert, to Iowa before her marriage. 

Our subject and his wife after uniting their des- 
tinies located in the vicinity of Lowden, Iowa, 
along the Northwestern Railroad in Cedar County, 
and he engaged joint)} - in mercantile business and 
stock-raising, dealing largely in cattle and swine. 
Three years later he changed his residence to Wyo- 
ming, where he sojourned ten years similarly occu- 
pied. We next find him in Lenox, Taylor County, 
where he conducted a >tore eight years. In the 



fall of 1883 he determined to try the experiment 
of life upon Nebraska soil, and for two years there- 
after was a clerk in the employ of E. M. Lyons. 

Mr. Bratton notwithstanding his migrations had 
accumulated quite a little capital, and in March. 
1888, took possession of his present farm of 240 
acres on section 20, Pawnee Precinct. He still 
prosecutes the stock-raising industry, and deals 
largely in Jersey cattle, of which be has several 
very handsome animals on his farm. He has been 
very successful in this line, and has already gained 
an enviable reputation in connection therewith. 
He has very little to do with public affairs, but 
uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and in relig- 
ious matters is identified with the United Presby- 
terian Church. 

_^ <%»& v~ 



ffiAMES PEPPERL. Among the younger 
| business men of Burchard, Mr. Pepped is 
worthy of special mention. He is a practi- 
cal harness-maker, master of his trade, and 
is carrying on a good business in connection with 
this article of merchandise. He has a true con- 
ception of the manner in which his patrons should 
be treated, and for this reason they are steadily in- 
creasing in numbers, he in a like proportion receiv- 
ing benefit therefrom. 

The childhood home of our subject was a long 
way from his present abiding-place, he having been 
born on the other side of the Atlantic in the little 
town of Gossawoda, Austria, March 22. 1862. 
He was reared upon a farm and received a very 
good education in his native tongue, attending 
school from the age of six to twelve years. He 
then emigrated to America with his parents, em- 
barking at the port of Bremen early in May that 
year on the steamer " Rhine," which, twelve days 
later, landed them in New York City. Thence 
they made their way via Chicago, 111., to this 
county, locating in Plum Creek Precinct, where 
our subject started out for himself, working sum- 
mers, and attending school as he had opportunity 
in the winter. 

At the age of sixteen Mr. Pepperl began an ap- 
prenticeship at the harness trade, which he pursued 




Jf^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



,">!S7 



4- 



iii Pawnee City until 1878, one year under the in- 
Struction of Mr. John Butler, and at this served an 
apprenticeship of three years in Pawnee City. 
Later he followed his trade in Table Rock until 
1882. In the spring of that year Mr. Pepperl 
took up his residence in Burchard and established 
his present business, succeeding so well that in 
1 883 he was enabled to put up the building which 
lie now occupies. He keeps a finely assorted stock 
of harness and other furnishings pertaining to this 
branch of trade, carrying a §1,500 stock of goods. 
This being the only enterprise of the kind in the 
place, he enjoys the monopoly, and is consequently 
making good headway financially. 

Mr. Pepperl, in the summer of 1885, invested a 
part of his spare capital in three building lots on 
Second street, where he put up a good residence, 
which, with its surroundings, forms a very tasteful 
and comfortable home. He was married January 
19, that year, to Miss Moll}' Hammond, a native of 
Pennsylvania, who came to Nebraska with her 
parents. They have two children: Don Carlos, 
born June 1886, and Reuah Frances, in March, 1887. 
Mr. P. votes with the Union Labor part}', which he 
frequently represents fn the various State and 
County Conventions, and in religious matters be- 
longs to the Catholic Church. Socially, he is a 
member of Burchard Lodge No. 95, 1. 0. O. P., 
having passed all the Chairs, and been made a dele- 
gate to the Grand Lodge. As a Mason he be- 
longs to Upright Lodge No. 137. also to Chapter 
No. 20, at Pawnee City, also to the K. T. at Te- 
cumseh, Neb. 



;hA\ !> >s - MARGARKT SIIFWFY. The women 
of Pawnee County have played no unimpor- 
I 1 tan! part in its development from earl} 
pioneer days, proving themselves fully able 
to cope with the difficulties and hardships of settle- 
ment on the frontier far from the centers of civili- 
zation, and at the present time the\ are represented 
here in many walks of life, professional and other- 
wise, the subject of this sketch, who was one of the 
very first settlers mi the banks of Wolf Creek. 
being closely identified with the agricultural inter- 




ests of the count}-. Shu is very successful in the 
management of her beautiful farm .if 200 acres. 
120 of which are on section 1. ami the remaining 
eighty acres on section •"> of Plum (reek Precinct. 
Nearly 100 acres of tlii> are natural forest, anil 
with the remainder, which has a very rich and pro- 
ductive soil, well watered by the waters of Wolf 

Creek, is neatly hedged ami fenced, and has a g I 

orchard and a line set of farm buildings, forms one 
of the most attractive ami lies! paying estates to lie 
seen for miles around. Mrs. Shewey delights in 
beautifying her homestead and the grounds around 
her fine residence on section 4, and consequently 
has one of the pleasantest homes in the precinct. 
She devotes her attention to raising grain and to 
general farming. 

Our subject was born near Covington, in Foun- 
tain Co., hid.. Aug. 2. 1839. Sheenjoyed the usual 
school privileges of the times, attending school in 
a log house, and remained an inmate of the parental 
Inline until her marriage. Her father. Henry Bea- 
ver, was born in Virginia, and his father, Mathias 
Beaver, was burn near Chillicothe, Ohio. Hewas a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. lie was a farmer 
by occupation, and owned and operated a large 
farm, and was extensively engaged in stock-raising. 
His death occurred in Preble County. Ohio, when 
he was seventy years of age. His wife. Mary J., 
died in Indiana in 181.",. Mrs. Shewey's father was 
brought nil in Ohio, and there engaged in farming 
and stock-raising for several years, owning a large 
farm. He married Elizabeth Walker, a native of 
Preble County, Ohio. Her father was a patriotic 
soldier in the Revolution, and was wounded in one 
of the engagements, ami being left on the battle- 
field, froze to death. Ili> wife, whose maiden name 
was Margaret Rhodes, was born in Ohio, and died 
in Indiana, al the age of eighty years. In L835 
Mr. Beaver sold his property in Ohio and moved 
to the wilds of Indiana, and locating in Fountain 
Count}-, was oneof the first three white settlers who 
ever made their home there, the rest of the inhabi- 
tants then being Indians. He entered 300 acres of 
forest covered land. cleared it. improved it in good 
shape, and acquired wealth by fanning ami stock- 
raising. He died on his homestead in October, 
I87."i. aged sixty-seven years, his wife having pre- 



*r 



588 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



ceded him in death in 1868, at the age of sixty- 
two years. He was a stanch Republican in his po- 
litical sentiments, and, with his good wife, was a 
devout Methodist in religion. They had ten chil- 
dren, namely: Christian, John, Joseph and Cather- 
ine, (all of whom are dead), Margaret, Michael. 
Alex. Nancy, Mary and James (the latter two 
being dead). Alex served gallantly throughout 
the entire Rebellion. He enlisted in the spring of 
1861, became Lieutenant in an Indiana cavalry 
regiment, serving the entire time under the brave 
Phil Sheridan. 

Mrs. Shewey was married in her native State, 
near Covington, Nov. 15, 1849, to Joseph Shewey. 
He was a native of Preble County, Ohio, and a son 
of a well-to-do Indiana farmer. After marriage 
they improved a farm in Indiana, comprising eighty 
acres, and lived thereon until 1853, when they sold 
out, and going to Bloomington, 111., entered land, 
remaining there one 3-ear. At the expiration of 
that time they sold again, and in 18.34 located in 
Henry County, the same .State, buying 200 acre- of 
land in Geneseo. and became early settlers of that 
place, improved the land, and engaged in stock- 
raising until the fall of 1867, when they came to 
Nebraska on account of Mr. Shewey's health. They 
Located in Plum Creek Preciuct. buying 600 acres 
of Government land. The country round about 
was inhabited mostly by Indians at that time, there 
being only a few white people here, and our sub- 
ject and her husband were the first settlers on Wolf 
(reek. They began immediately to improve the 
land and prepare it fur culture, and they built the 
first house in the precinct. The lumber had to be 
drawn from St. Joseph, Mo., and amid the trials 
and tribulations of frontier life they finally estab- 
lished their residence here, and improved the whole 
farm, winch is an extensive one and under the best 
of tillage, and supplied with everything in the 
shape of buildings and machinery necessary for its 
successful management. 

The following is recorded of the eight children 
born to our subject and her husband: Sylvester is 
farming in Iowa; Marion is a photographer in 
Liberty; Wallace is a farmer in Morton County, 
Kan.; Nathan is farming in Kansas; Franklin at 
home; Louisa married W. S. Isaac, a farmer in 




Pawnee County; Serinda married W. Smith, a far- 
mer and stock-raiser in Pawnee County; Emma 
married R. Weirs, a farmer in Hall County. Neb. 
Mrs. Shewey is considered by her fellow agricult- 
urists an energetic, intelligent, practical farmer, 
who has been an important factor in promoting the 
advancement of agriculture in this locality. She 
is a woman of extraordinar}- force of character, and 
is capable of doing anything to which she turns her 
attention. She possesses excellent judgment, much 
tact ami sound sense. Religiously, she holds to the 
Baptist faith and is identified with the church of 
that denomination in Burcbard, having been a char- 
ter member of the society. She is interested in 
politics and favors the Republican party. 

ON. WILLIAM BROWN RAPER, ex- 
County Clerk of Pawnee Count}', was born 
near the town of Linton, in Greene County, 
Ind., Oct. 29, 1832. He traces his ancestry 
to the Old Dominion, of which his paternal grand- 
father was a native, and born in 1777. He married 
Miss Elizabeth Bray, of North Carolina, and among 
their sons was Andrew, the father of our subject, 
who was born in Hardin County, Ky., Jan. 26, 
1808. 

Andrew Raper upon reaching man's estate mar- 
ried Miss Eliza I. Christy, of North Carolina. This 
lady was the daughter of Joseph and Ann Christy, 
who were earl}' settlers of Indiana and of Irish ex- 
traction. After the death of her husband Mrs. 
Christy made the journey to Pawnee City, and 
spent her last years with her youngest daughter, 
passing away in 1885. The parental family included 
sixteen children, five sons and eleven daughters, 
nine of whom survive. The mother of our subject 
was the grandmother of eighty-seven grandchil- 
dren, and was born in December, 1809. Andrew 
Raper is still living, and a resident of Pawnee City, 
Neb. He served as a soldier in the Union Army 
during the late war, being a member of Company 
I, 83d Indiana Infantry, doing dut}' three years, 
and meeting the enemy in many of the important 
battles of the war. He was shot through the thigh 
at Chickamauga, and likewise had a part of his gun 



V 



^Ih«*« 



PAWNKK COUNTY. 



589 



shot away. He was one of those who marched un- 
der Gen. Sherman to the sea. The record of his 
hardships and privations is the common story of 
those who fought for the preservation of the 
Union. 

Mr. Raper, our subject, spent his early years in 
the rural districts, assisting in the tilling of the soil, 
in sowing and reaping, and received only a limited 
education. He lived with his parents until nearing 
the twenty-second year of his age, then going to 
Brown County, III., worked on a farm at *lo per 
month one year. Thence he migrated to Indiana, 
where he was employed as a clerk, and from there 
came to Nebraska. We find him established in 
Pawnee City in 18o!». preparing to engage in mer- 
cantile business in company with David Butler, 
they having the third store started in the place. 
The} - operated together until 1875, with the excep- 
tion of the three years which our subject spent in 
the army. In 1862 he enlisted in the 2d Nebraska 
Cavalry, with which he spent one year, then joined 
the Veteran Volunteer Cavalry, serving two years 
on the plains chasing Indians, and also being chased 
by them. From this service he was honorably dis- 
charged July 1. 1866. Upon leaving the army he 
at once returned to Pawnee City, and continued 
mercantile business with Mr. Butler, as before 
stated. They suspended business in 1874, paving 
all debts and the accumulated interest. 

We next find Mr. Raper as clerk in the dry- 
goods store of J. R. Ervm, a position which he held 
until 1881, being elected that year Clerk of Pawnee 
County, and assuming the duties of his office in Jan- 
uary, 1882. The year following he was re-elected, 
and served in all a period of four years. In the 
year 1*77 he was created a member of the State 
Legislature, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- 
nation of W. F. Wright. When retired from the 
Clerk's office he was succeeded by his son, John B., 
who was re-elected in 1*87, and still holds the 
office. 

Upon retiring from the Clerk's office Mr. Raper 
once more engaged in mercantile business, estab- 
lishing himself at Burehard. where he continued 
until the spring of 1888. He then sold Out and re- 
tired from active business. He was first married 
over thirty years ago, in September, 1856, to Miss 



Mary J. Butler, a cousin of Gov. Butler, of Ne- 
braska, and a native of Linton, Ind. Mrs. Mary J. 
Raper died in February, 1864, leaving two chil- 
dren, a son and daughter: John B., already spoken 
of, and Fanny, the wife of D. D. Davis, an attor- 
ney-at-Ian r in Pawnee City. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married Jan. 17, 1867, was formerly Miss Elizabeth 
J., daughter of Amos and .Martha (Weill) Coffey, 
of Bloomington, Ind. The five children of this 
union comprised one son and four daughters. The 
son, William C, and the eldest daughter, Luanna. 
died in infancy. The survivors are Grace, Myrtle 
and Lilly, who remain at home with their parents. 

Mr. Raper, politically, is a decided Republican, 
and as he has opportunity labors for the success of 
his party. Socially, he belongs to Pawnee Lodge 
No. 23, Interior Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F., and is a 
Knight of Pythias. He is the owner of two good 
farms in Kansas and a tract of wild land in the same 
State. 



()N. MAXWELL K. WALKER, a leading 
merchant of .Mission Creek and also an ex- 
tensive stock buyer and feeder. i< the scion 
(.(^1 of an excellent family, being the son of 
William Walker, who was born in Huntingdon 
County. Pa., and married Miss -Maria Kinkead. a na- 
tiveof Blair ( 'ounty, that State. The paternal grand- 
father, John Walker, was born in County Antrim. 
Ireland, ami emigrated to America prior to the Rev- 
olutionary War. locating in Huntingdon < ounty. 
Before coming to America he had served as a sol- 
dier in the British Army, and engaged in many im- 
portant battles, among them the siege of London- 
derry. In Pennsylvania he occupied himself as an 
hotel-keeper at Alexandria. He Was a great ad- 
mirer of the principles of Masonry, and one of the 

first men t 'ganize a lodge Of this fraternity in 

the Keystone state, becoming one of its Leading 
men. He spent the remainder of his life in Hunt- 
ingdon County, dying in 1816, at the age ol eight) 
years. 

On the mother's side of the house Grandfather 
Maxwell Kinkead. also a native of Ireland, was 
a descendant of the famous Maxwell family, of 




4 



590 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4- 



f 



County Down, and upon coming to America like- 
wise located in Huntingdon County, settling at 
Yellow Springs. He * I i * I good service in the Con- 
tinental Army, receiving an officer's commission. 
He was a man of high character, more than ordi- 
narily intelligent, and occupied many positions of 
trust and responsibility, finally being chosen to 
represent his district in the State Legislature. He 
departed this life in L 842, at the age of seventy- 
six years. His wife was Miss Deborah Cadwallader. 
a lady of Welsh descent and of an excellent old 
Quaker family. Her brothers served in the Revo- 
lutionary War. one of them as a General. 

William Walker was born in L 804, and on ap- 
proaching manhood occupied himself largely as a 
hunter until his marriage. He then engaged in 
mercantile business at Petersburg and other places 
in Pennsylvania. He finally removed from Hunt- 
ingdon to Blair County, thence to Davenport, Iowa, 
in 1851, purchasing land, in the vicinity of which 
that city was afterward built up. He became the 
owner of 360 acres, which under his careful man- 
agement became quite valuable. Finally, selling- 
out, he removed to Kellogg, and made his home 
with a daughter there until his death, which took 
place in 1885. when he was eighty-one years old. 
The mother survived her husband one 3 r ear, dying 
in 1886, at the age of eighty. Mr. Walker had 
been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for 
many years, and Superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. He was indeed one of the pillars, ever 
yielding to it a cheerful and liberal support. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
eight children, namely: Eliza, who died when 
about thirty-five years old; Maxwell K., our sub- 
ject; Catherine; Deborah; David, who died in in- 
fancy; Charles, a resident of Decatur County, 
Kan.; Sally and Howard, both deceased. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Blair's Gap, 
Blair Co., Pa., on the 1th of December. 1841. and re- 
ceived a common-school education. He was a lad 
ten years of age when his parents removed to Ohio, 
and recalls the fact that they made the trip mostly 
by water. He was reared amid the quiet scenes of 
country life, and was taught at an early age to 
make himself useful around the homestead. When 
a youth of twenty years he attended school one 



terfn at Vermillion, Ohio, then, returning to Iowa, 
remained there a time, then repaired to Fulton, 
111., and entered the Western Union College, where 
he pursued his studies also one year. At the ex- 
piration of this time, the Civil War being in prog- 
ress, he enlisted in the service, in Company I), 
of the 20th Iowa Infantry, and was under the 
command of Gen. Schotield, going all through the 
Missouri campaign. He met the enemy at Prai- 
rie Grove, and was in various other skirmishes 
until the troops concentrated at Vicksburg, and lie 
engaged with his comrades in the siege of the city. 
In July they proceeded to Yazoo, and were there- 
after al Jackson, wintering in Texas. Mr. Walker 
entered the service as a private, and was mustered 
out an Orderly Sergeant. He was proffered a Lieu- 
tenant's commission, but declined. He received his 
honorable discharge at the close, and was mustered 
out of service at Clinton, Iowa, in duly, 1865, 
nearly three years from the time of his enlistment. 

Upon retiring from the army Mr. Walker re- 
sumed farming in Iowa for three years. Then, 
desirous of becoming further advanced in his 
studies, he returned to Vermillion Institute, tak- 
ing the classical course of two years. Afterward 
he taught school near Clarksville, Ark., one year. 
Later we find him at Pittsburgh in the employ of 
the Pullman Palace Car Company as a conductor, 
which post he held for a period of three years. He 
then engaged in the groceiy trade at Davenport 
one year, when he was caught by the panic of 
1874, and withdrew. 

Mr. Walker was married in Ashland. Ohio. .Ian. 
8, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth J. Sloan. This lady was 
born in Westmoreland County, Pa., and received a 
good education, being graduated from Vermillion 
Institute, afterward occuping herself as a teacher 
in Ashland County, Ohio, for a number of years. 

Mr. Walker in the spring of 1874 came to this 
State. Locating at Heat rice, where he lived for a 
time, and thence came to Mission Creek. He pur- 
chased his stock of general merchandise, in which 
he rapidly built up a good trade, and that same 
year was appointed Postmaster, which office he 
held until December, 1882. In 1882 he purchased 
160 acres of land on section 27, an uncultivated 
tract, from which he has built up a good farm, ef- 



T 



*^T^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



*. 



591 



4 



fecting modern improvements, and from which he 
now realizes a good income. The farm is especially 
well watered by a never-failing spring, and is 

largely devoted to live stock, including cattle and 
swine. His thoroughbred Short-horns arc the ad- 
miration Of the country around, and among his 
horses may be found some of the finest animals in 
this region. In his store Mr. W. carries a $1.0(10 
stock of goods, comprising everything in his line 
suitable for the village or country household. 

After filling many other positions of trust and 
responsibility, Mr. Walker in 1882 was elected to 
represent his county in the Legislature by a large 
majority on the Republican ticket, and was one of 
the original eight who selected Gen. Mandersonfor 
the United States Senate. Socially, he belongs to 
the A. (). U. W. at Davenport, is a charter mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. at Pawnee City, and in re- 
ligious matters is identified with the Presbyterian 
Church at Liberty. In politics, it is hardly neces- 
sary to state he is a stanch supporter of Repub- 
lican principles. 



ft OHN W. SHAW. In reviewing the pioneer 
history of Pawnee County there are the 
names of so many so inseparably connected 
B§s/J with its earl}' development that no record 
could be entirely complete without notice of their 
lives and labors. In this class may be most prop- 
erly mentioned the gentleman herein brought to 
notice, who was one of the first men to cast his lot 
with the adventurous spirits who pitched their tents 
in Table Rock Precinct. The story of the struggles 
and hardships of those early times can never be 
full}- delineated, because the pioneer had other things 
to occupy himself with than to carry around with 
him his pencil and memorandum book, and thus 
many incidents have necessarily passed from his 
recollection. We are now mostly dependent upon 
the memory of those to whom the early scenes of 
life on the frontier seem, at this late day, more like 
a dream than a reality. 

Mr. Shaw came to this region in March, 1867, 
and took up a homestead claim of 160 acres, occu- 
pying the northwest quarter of section 9. There 



had been no attempt at cultivation, and his neigh- 
bors were few and far between, there being but 
three houses in sight. Mr. Shaw first put up a small 
frame building of Cottonwood boards, sixteen feet 
square, as a shelter for his family, and as soon as 
possible began plowing, and succeeded in preparing 
that first year twenty acres for cultivation and sow- 
ing it with grain. There was neither a tree nor shrub 
upon the place, and his next business was to set out 
something which should afford a shelter and also he 
a means of providing his family with some of the 
luxuries of life. He thus planted four acres of 
forest trees, a good apple orchard and the trees of 
the smaller fruits, together with considerable hedge 
fencing. 

As rapidly as possible Mr. Shaw proceeded with 
the cultivation of his land, and in due time found 
it the source of a comfortable income. Later he 
turned his attention to stock-raising, and now has 
a fine herd of high-grade Short horn cattle, also 
horses and swine. In due time the first rude dwell- 
ing gave place to the large, comfortable residence 
which now graces the farm, this being completed in 
1883. It is tasteful in architecture, well finished and 
furnished, and has a solid stone foundation, forming 
a fine cellar. The dwelling with its surroundings 
forms one of the most attractive homes in this sec- 
tion of the county. 

The first school district was organized after the 
arrival of Mr. Shaw in Table Rock Precinct, and in 
due time he was made a member of the School 
Board, and has assisted in the erection of two houses 
on the same ground. The school of his district is 
now considered one of the best regulated in the 
precinct. He has held various other local offices, 
serving as Assessor two terms, and as Justice of the 
Peace two years. The fact that he is highly spoken 
of by his neighbors and fellow-citizens is sufficient 
indication of his standing in his community. In 
religious matters he belongs to the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and socially, he is a member of the 
G. A R. 

Allegany County, N. Y., was the native place of 
our subject, his birth occurring Oct. 12. 1837. Six 
months later his parents removed to Jo Daviess 
County, 111., settling among its earliest pioneers, 
and there John W. pursued his first studies in the 



=£#-«• 



~k* 



' } 592 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4* 



4= 



district school, later becoming a pupil in Mt. Mor- 
ris Academy. He was twenty-four years of age at 
the outbreak of the Civil War, and on the 24th of 
May. 1861, enlisted in Company E, 15th Illinois 
Infantry, journeying soon afterward with his regi- 
ment to the South. He first saw the smoke of bat- 
tle at Pittsburg Landing, where he was wounded in 
the knee, and after being confined in the hospital 
was obliged to accept his honorable discharge in 
October, 1862, and returned home. When fully 
recovered he resumed farming in Illinois, and on 
tiie 10th of January, 1867, was married to Miss 
Maria L. Eckert, of Nora, Jo Daviess Co., III. They 
soon afterward sought their new home in Nebraska. 

To our subject and his wife there have been born 
two children, Alice B. and Henry J., who have been 
given a good education and are still at home. 
The wife of our subject is a native of Tompkins 
Count}', N. Y., and was born Sept. 16, 1844. She 
left her native State with her parents when about 
ten years old, they removing to Jo Daviess Comity. 
111., where she sojourned with them until her mar- 
riage. Her father, Levi Eckert, was also a native 
of the Empire State and a mason by trade. Her 
mother's maiden name was Rebecca Snyder; her 
father is deceased. Her mother is still living, now 
a resident of Michigan. 

Eneas Shaw, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Massachusetts, from whence 
he removed early in life to New York State, settling 
in Allegany County. He married Miss Sila Phipin, 
and to them were born thirteen children, twelve of 
whom lived to mature years. Upon the removal 
of the family to Jo Daviess Count}'. 111., the father 
took up a tract of land from which he improved a 
good farm, which he remained upon the balance of 
his life. His death occurred about 1850, and that 
of his excellent wife in 1865, both dying at the old 
homestead. They were people who made very lit- 
tle stir in the world, but were careful and consci- 
entious in the performance of their duties as parents 
and neighbors, and were consistent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

John W. Shaw cast his first Presidential vote for 
Lincoln, since which time he has been a strong sup- 
porter of the Republican party. He has signalized 
liimself as a liberal and public-spirited citizen, la- 



boring as he has had opportunity for the growth 
and progress of his adopted county. In building 
up one of the most valuable homesteads he has 
added thus much to the importance of its real-estate 
interests, and its desirability as a place of residence. 



OHN CARVER. Conspicuous among the 
men who have materially aided the growth 
of Miles Precinct is the gentleman whose 
name appears at the head of this biographical 
notice: He is one of the leading farmers of the 
precinct, and no one has more largely advanced its 
agricultural interests than he. He owns a large 
and well-appointed stock farm, comprising 320 
acres of the best land to be found in the neighbor- 
hood, finely located on sections 1 1 and 2. 

Mr. Carver was born in County Limerick. Ireland, 
in October, 1826. His father, William Carver, was 
born in the same county. Thomas Carver, grand- 
father of our subject, was a native of County Cork, 
Ireland, grew to manhood in the city of Cork, and 
then moved to County Limerick. He there pur- 
chased a large farm, and besides cultivating the 
soil became engaged in the dairy business, and ac- 
cumulated a comfortable competence. His death 
occurred when he had attained his seventy-first 
year. The father of our subject was reared on his 
father's farm. He was married in Count}' Cork, to 
Miss Nora Casey, a native of that county. Her 
father, Frank Casey, was a large land-owner, and 
had several farms in County Cork, managing them 
all himself, besides keeping a public inn at Glen- 
worth. His death occurred in 1822. Mr. Carver 
was a coach agent for several years from the time 
he was eighteen years old. driving a four-horse 
mail coach. He lost money by the sadden death 
of the man he worked for, who owed him a large 
sum of money besides his salary. Mr. Carver then 
devoted himself exclusively to the management of 
his farms, of which he had three, and which he 
had carried on while engaged in business. He was 
in comfortable circumstances at the time of his 
death in 1850, at the age of sixty-five. The 
mother of our subject died in Norwich, Conn., in 
— — <•» 



r! 



-*•- 



PAWNKK COUNTY. 



593 



fr 



**= 



1872, at the age of sixty -eigbt years. She was a 
<r< .1 ><1 Christian woman and a devoted member of 
the Catholic Church. To ber and her husband 
eleven children were born, as follows: Hannah, who 
lives in Norwich, Conn.; John; Frank, a resident 
of Providence, R. I. ; Annie, Mary, Nora and Ellen, 
all of whom are deceased ; Bridget, who lives in 
Rhode Island ; Eliza, who resides in Burchard, Neb. ; 
Michael, deceased, and Thomas, who lives in Massa- 
chusetts. Michael and Thomas served in the late 
war as members of the 1st Connecticut, the former 
enlisting in 1861, and the hitter in 1862, their regi- 
ment being attached to the Army of the Potomac. 
Michael was shot dead near Stafford's Court House, 
Jan. 3, 1863. Thomas was in the service until the 
close of the war. He was taken prisoner at Snicker 
Gap, Ya.. sent to Belle Isle for four months, and 
then had a four months' experience of the horrors 
of Andersonville. After that he was exchanged, and 
he then fought under Phil Sheridan in the Shenan- 
doah Valley. 

.John Carver was reared on his father's farm in 
Limerick, and obtained a good common-school 
education. He remained at home until his father's 
death, when he made arrangements to migrate with 
his mother and the other members of the family to 
the United States. They went from Cork to Liver- 
pool, where they embarked on the American-bound 
vessel "Constantine" in the spring of 1851, and 
after a voyage of five weeks and three days landed 
in New York City. Our subject proceeded to 
Shaftsbury, Vt., where he was employed for a year 
in the public works. He then went to Connecticut, 
and was engaged in the Baltic public works for the 
space of three years, and subsequently did mason 
work for a year. In 1856 he moved to Greenville, 
Conn., taking the family with him. He engaged in 
the iron works, spring and axle making, in that place 
until the spring of 1869. He then came to this 
State by rail, and located in Dawson, in Richardson 
County. He bought eighty acres of land in that 
place, improved it well, and continued farming 
there until 1874. In that year he took up his resi- 
dence in Pawnee County, buying 160 acres of land 
on section 2, in Miles Precinct. He made many 
valuable improvements, and conducted agriculture 
there until 1880. He then bought his present 



place, comprising 160 acres on section 11 of Miles 
Precinct. The land was at the time wild prairie, 
and our subject has labored hard to bring about the 
many improvements that make it one of the most 
valuable farms in the neighborhood. It has an 
ample supply of springs and wells, and is well fenced 
in hedge and wire. There is a fine orchard on the 
place of 160 choice fruit trees, and sixty acres of 
natural timber along the banks of Ball's Branch. 
The land Is naturally adapted to stock-raising, and 
our subject besides breeding cattle, buys and feeds 
them. His herd comprises 130 head of fine grades, 
and he has twelve 'head of blooded Clydesand Nor- 
mans, using three teams in working his farm, and 
he has a number of fine graded Poland-China hogs. 
Mr. Carver is also much interested in raising corn. 
He has an ample supply of substantial farm build- 
ings, and everything about the place is in good 
order. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary 
Casey took place June 6, 1866. She was born in 
Limerick, Ireland. Their marriage has been 
blessed to them by the birth of seven children, five 
of whom are living, namely: Patrick, Annie, 
Teressa, Hannah and Michael. Patrick is farming 
160 acres of land in Plum Creek Precinct. Annie 
married Michael Murphey, a farmer of Dawson, 
this State. The remaining children are at home. 
The whole family are esteemed members of the 
Catholic Church, and were active in building the 
church. Our subject gave more than anyone else 
toward its erection, and when the structure fell 
down he was very active in soliciting subscriptions 
to repair it, and as Trustee of the church he is 
always laboring for its best interests. 

Mr. Carver is as patriotic and loyal a citizen of 
these United States as if he were native-born, ami 
he takes great delight in watching the progress of 
the country. In him the Republican party has one 
of its most intelligent and independent supporters, 
as he votes only for those men whom he thinks 
thoroughly fitted for office, and on such grounds he 
voted for Gen. Harrison for President. He is in- 
fluential in party councils and has been a delegate 
to County Conventions. Mr. Carver's sensible ad- 
vice and clear common sense have often been 
used to advantage in the administration of public 



r 



•► wT<^ 



, k 594 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 






affairs, and lie has of ten been called to fill respon- 
sible offices. While a resident of Richardson 
County he served two terms as Justice of the Peace, 
and since coming to Miles Precinct he has been As- 
sessor of the precinct for two terms, a member of 
the School Board, and has been Supervisor four 
terms. 



~t 



\f ACOB T. BROWN. Among the solid repre- 
sentatives of the agricultural interests of 
Clay Precinct, no man stands higher than 
' the subject of this sketch. His has been a 
career more than ordinarily successful, during 
which he has learned many valuable lessons, keep- 
ing his eyes open to what was going on around him 
in the world, lie claims Ohio as his native State, 
having been born there, in Perry County, Jan. 20, 
L 844. 

The parents of our subject were Joseph and Ann 
(Kelley) Brown. The paternal grandfather, Will- 
iam Brown, was a native of Delaware, where li<' was 
reared to man's estate, and married a lady a native 
of the same State. Later, after the decease of his 
wife, which occurred in her native State, he re- 
moved to Ohio. Grandfather Brown spent his last 
years in Muskingum County, Ohio, dying when 
about eighty-four years old. 

The parents of our subject after their removal 
from Delaware were residents of Perry County. 
Ohio, the remainder of their lives, Joseph Brown, 
during the War of 1812, served as a drummer boy. 
The parental family included fourteen children, 
namely: William, James, Washington, Joseph; 
Jane, Mrs. William Dilts; Mary, who married Caleb 
Hitchcock, and is now deceased; Isaac; Noah; 
Sarah, Mrs. William Blizzard, who with her hus- 
band died in middle life, leaving a family of eleven 
children; Andrew; Thomas, who died in youth: 
Elizabeth died in infancy ; Jacob, our subject, who 
was the youngest, and an unnamed infant. 

Mr. Brown left Ohio in the spring of 1885, eom- 
ii i 14: to this county with his family. He had been 
married in Muskingum County, the Buckeye State, 
April 9, 1867, to Miss Mattie J., daughter of Will- 
iam and Amanda (Vickroy) Brown, who were na- 
tives of Maryland. This union resulted in the 

4> 



birth of seven children, namely: Thomas <)., 
Charles A., Eddie L., Herbert Karl, Foster, Bev- 
erly C. and ( ieorge W., the latter of whom died 
when one year old. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are mem- 
bers in good standing of the United Brethren 
Church. They formerly belonged to the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Brown became 
a member at the age of eleven years. In this our 
subject was at one time a pillar, officiating as Stew- 
ard, and filling positions of trust and responsibility. 
He is now a Steward and Class- Leader of the 
church to which he at present belongs. In politi- 
cal matters he is a lifelong Republican, and a man 
who keeps himself well posted upon matters of 
general interest. 

The Brown homestead embraces 330 acres of im- 
proved land, lying on sections 10 and 15. With 
the exception of ten acres of timber on Turkey 
Creek, it is all enclosed with good fencing, and em- 
bellished with a substantial set of frame buildings. 
It is largely devoted to stock-raising, and Mr. 
Brown also has attainted quite a reputation as a 
buyer and shipper, sending away usually a car- 
load of cattle each year, and sometimes two. He 
contemplates enlarging his capacities for this in- 
dustry in the near future. 

For a period of seventeen years prior to his set- 
tlement in Nebraska Mr. Brown dealt largely in 
stoneware, purchasing of manufacturers and selling 
to retail dealers throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michi- 
gan, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. The knowl- 
edge which he thus obtained of general business 
has been invaluable to him in all his later trans- 
actions. He was regarded as one of the best sales- 
men in the regions over which he traveled, and 
being always courteous and prompt to meet his 
obligations found abundance of friends wherever 
he went. He finds, however, more pleasure in the 
peaceful pursuits of agriculture than in the bustling 
channels of trade. 

After the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Brown 
enlisted in Company H, 90th Ohio Infantry, under 
command of Col. N. F. Hitchcock, now of Sterling, 
Johnson County, this State. During his service 
under the old hero he entertained for him a warm 
admiration, being with him the entire term of his 
army experience. Col. Hitchcock was a valiant offl- 



:£2f-* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



595 



cer, Mini one who possessed in a marked degree the 
esteem and admiration of his subordinates. Of our 
subject he made a friend and companion, mik! Mr. 
Brown looks upon that epoch in his life, notwith- 
standing its privations and hardships, as one of his 
pleasantesl recollections. He was one of the com- 
paratively small number whose consciousness of 
the faithful performance of duty was a satisfactory 
reward, and lie may be classed among heroes whose 
history will never be fully recorded. 

The 90th Ohio was equipped and ready for 
service in the spring of 1802. It took part in 
many of the most important engagements of the 
war, and Mr. Brown was a participant in many a 
scene of deadly conflict, having been in every bat- 
tle in which his regiment participated. They were 
at Richmond, Ky., and from Louisville took part 
in the march undertaken to drive the rebel Gen. 
Bragg from the State. They participated in the 
bloody battle at Perrysville, and shortly after in the 
fight at Stone River. After this they followed 
Bragg all the way to Chattanooga. They also took 
part in the great Atlanta campaign until the fall of 
that city, and then they were ordered back to 
Nashville, where they had an engagement with 
Rood, whom they defeated, and pursued into 
Georgia. Then Hood decamped for the Carolinas. 
Col. Hitchcock gathered together what was left of 
his gallant command, and inarched to the French 
Broad River, where they were in camp until after 
Lee's surrender. The command was finally mus- 
tered out in June, 1865. In all of the arduous 
marches and bloody battles in which this gallant 
legiment was engaged Mr. Brown did his duty as a 
patriotic soldier should, ami retired from the service 
with a record of which he and his descendants may 
justly be proud. 



*t 



yJLLIAM A. GRIFFING, contractor and 
builder in stone and brick work, and also 
^^ the owner of a good farm of 120 acres in 
Sheridan Precinct, takes a leading position among 
the intelligent, enterprising and prosperous busi- 
ness men of Pawnee County. He is pleasantly lo- 
cated in the village of Table Hock, in a neat and 

4« 



convenient brick house of his own construction. 
He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Wayne 
County, Aug. 6, 1852. His father, the Hon. George 
L. Gritting, was born Nov. 27, 1824, in Luzerne 
County, Pa., and there spent his early years. He 
received a substantial education in the common 
schools, and was subsequently fitted for the ministry. 
He was a licentiate of the Wyoming Conference, 
and preached for a number of years in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal denomination. His health becoming 
impaired, he was obliged to relinguish his pro- 
fessional duties, and seek a milder climate. Ac- 
cordingly in 1857 he came with his family to 
Nebraska, arriving June 10, and spent the night 
with Mr. Ferguson, the first man who came into 
Pawnee County. Mr. Gritting bought a pre-emp- 
tion right, half a mile south of the old village 
of Table Rock, on which stood a log cabin, into 
which he moved with his family. There were 
timber, stone and water on the land, the three 
things first looked for by new settlers, and only a 
few furrows had been turned. The nearest market 
was Brownville, the nearest mill on the opposite 
side of the Missouri River, and the nearest post- 
office Table Rock, that having been the first estab- 
lished in the county. 

On arriving here Mr. Gritting laid in a large 
stock of provisions, and, as game was abundant, 
was not obliged to go to the river the first year. 
The following spring he sowed a crop of wheat, the 
first ever sown in the county, doing the work with 
oxen. No schools had been established at that, 
time, and he assisted in building the first school- 
house, which was of stone, and stood on the spot 
now occupied by the livery stable of Taylor & 
Beck, on Luzerne avenue. It was built under the 
supervision of Peter Foale, a mason, whose sketch 
appears on another page of this volume. Mr. 
G rifling soon after added a log house to the one 
already on his laud. 

When the Homestead Law was passed Mr. Grif- 
finor was one of the first men in the count3 - to take 
advantage of it. He and his mother-in-law took 
up a half-section of land in Clear Creek Precinct. 
on sections 10 and 23, moving there soon after. 
Mr. Grilling at once commenced the improvement 
of his homestead, putting out an orchard ami 



:?►*-«• 



•*-\i^*- 



=L 



4 



596 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



groves of timber, which grew rapidly, and now 
yield an abundance of timber and plenty of wal- 
nuts, black walnuts and acorns. He made all of 
the improvements usually made by an energetic 
and enterprising farmer, having erected a com- 
modious house, good out-buildings and a fine barn, 
as good as any now standing in the county. He 
carried on general farming on an extensive scale, 
having at the time of his death one of the finest 
herds of Durhams in the count}-, breeding and 
raising them himself, with special reference to the 
needs of a good dairy. He was one of the most 
influential and prominent of the early pioneers of 
Pawnee County, and a man whom his fellow-citi- 
zens delighted to honor. He was elected to all the 
local offices of the precinct, and, serving with ac- 
ceptance to all, was afterward sent to represent his 
district in the State Legislature, where he displayed 
excellent judgment and much wisdom in council. 
In 1875 he was appointed delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention at Lincoln. His untiring 
energy, intellectual ability and shrewd sense were 
of inestimable value to himself in developing and 
managing his property, as well as of material as- 
sistance in aiding the growth of the town, as is 
shown by the fact that the $800 which was his 
sole capital on coming here was added to and in- 
creased, so that at the time of his death, Aug. 17, 
1886, he left a comfortable competence to his fam- 
ily. It is needless to say that he was held in the 
highest respect and esteem by all, and his name 
will be reverenced and honored for generations to 
come. 

Mr. George L. Grilling was twice married. His 
first wife, mother of our subject, was Miss Axie 
Andrews, daughter of Adnal Andrews. She was 
also a native of Luzerne Count}', Pa. She was 
a woman of true Christian character, and died 
in October, 1857, soon after coming here. To 
her and her husband were born five children, 
namely : Maria E., now Mrs. Linn, of Table Rock ; 
Mary II., now Mrs. Mitchell, of Clear Creek Pre- 
cinct; William A., and Olin W., of whom see sketch 
on another page of this volume; one died young. 
The maiden name of Mr. Grifflng's second wife was 
Harriet Smith, and she was a native of London, 
and of that union there were also five children. 



Mrs. Griffing did not live many years after her 
marriage, dying in 1878. 

The subject of our sketch when five years of 
age came with his parents to Nebraska, and has 
since been a resident of Pawnee County. He re- 
ceived his education in Table Rock, attending the 
first school, which was a private one taught by his 
aunt, Lydia Grilling, in a log house three-fourths of 
a mile southwest of Table Rock. At the age of 
seventeen, desiring to put himself on an independ- 
ent footing with the world, our subject went to 
work on his own account, and four years later 
learned the plasterer's trade. He engaged in that 
work in this vicinity, and has since added the busi- 
ness of contractor in brick and stone. He has 
labored successfully, accumulating quite a sum of 
mone}', a part of which he has invested in real 
estate, his first purchase having been eighty acres 
of land in Clear Creek Precinct. His first im- 
provement was the erection of a stone house, and 
soon after its completion he married, and settled 
there with his bride, carrying on the farm and also 
working at his trade. Mr. Griffing has supervised 
the construction of many of the large stone and 
brick buildings of Nebraska, having taken the con- 
tract for much of the building done the first year 
of the boom in Hastings, and in the ensuing year 
having put up many buildings in Kearney Junction, 
on the Union Pacific Railway. He afterward did 
a good deal of contract work in Saline County, 
having DeWitt as headquarters, and subsequently 
erected several brick buildings in Pawnee County, 
among others, building in the season of 1886-87, a 
commodious brick residence for himself in Table 
Rock Village, which he and his family are now oc- 
cupying. Oursubject ismuch interested in the breed- 
ing of horses, and is an excellent judge and admirer 
of a fine horse. He owns a magnificent, imported 
Clydesdale stallion, one of the best in the county, 
registered No. 5,803, and besides that has other 
registered Clydesdales. He has also some beauti- 
ful llambletonian stock, and has a one-half interest 
in the best pony in the State, which is forty-three 
inches high and weighs 635 pounds. Mr. Griffing 
intends to make horse breeding a specialty, ami 
will devote himself to that business exclusively. 

Our subject was married, Dec. 10, 1875, to Miss 




-*•- 



PAWNER COUNTY. 



597 



Alva A. Baker, who was born in Woodford County, 
III., Dec. 10,1858. She is a (laughter of George 
W. Baker, who is a native of Ohio, and during his 
boyhood a near neighbor and playmate of U. S. 
Grant. Quite a thrilling, episode in the lives of 
the two boys occurred one day while they were 
playing near the mill pond of old Mr. Grant. 
They used to attempt to walk on the water by the 
use of distended bladders attached to their feet, 
and at one time Ulysses S., getting beyond his 
depth, lost his balance, and, his feet going up and 
his head down, he floated toward the mill race. 
Fortunately Mr. Baker was near, and, going to his 
assistance, rescued him from drowning, thus pre- 
serving for the time of his country's need one who 
became one of the most famed and honored of all 
the nation's citizens. Mr. Baker was a farmer and 
carpenter by occupation, and after remaining in his 
native State some years moved to Illinois, thence 
to Nebraska, and is now living fifty miles north of 
Beatrice. The union of our subject and his wife 
has been blessed to them by the birth of three in- 
teresting children: Lillian A., born May 25, 1878; 
Mary, Jan. 30. 1880; and Frank Raymond, born in 
1883. 

.Air. Grilling occupies an important position 
among the intelligent, enterprising business men of 
Pawnee County, and both he and his estimable 
wife are people of high consideration in this com- 
munity, and are valued members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Our subject belongs to the I. 
I >. ( ). F., and in politics affiliates with the Repub- 
lican party. 




SjOSIAH NESBITT. In the subject of this 
record we have one of the rising men of 
^^^ | Mission Creek Precinct, who is compara- 
vfMr 1 ,ivi ''. v yOU n g i" years, and is hound to make 
his mark in the community, lie owns a finely 
cultivated farm of 160 acres on section 19, with 

good improvements, and is each yearaddings ■- 

thing to the value and beauty of his property. As 
a, man and a citizen lie is one whom it is good to 
meet, being a gentleman to the manner horn, 
courteous ami agreeable, and one who impresses 



the stranger at once with his Innate goodness of 

heart, and his unimpeachable moral worth. It is 
such men as he to whom thecommunity is indebted 
for its thrift, intelligence and education, and a lew 
years hence his friends predict he will he. if he is 
not already, one of the leading men of his precinct, 
respected not only for his public spirit and lib- 
erality, but as one who. by his enterprise and 
industry, has contributed in all respects to the 
growth ami prosperity of this part of the county. 

.Mr. Nesbitt is essentially a Western man, having 
been born in Hanover, Jo I>aviess Co.. in.. Aug. 
17, 1855. lie was reared at the country home of 
his parents, becoming familiar with agricultural 
pursuits, and acquiring his first book knowledge in 
the district school. Later be entered the German- 
English College, at Galena, 111., of which he was a 
student one year, ami from there repaired to War- 
ren County, entering .Monmouth College and tak- 
ing the select course. In the spring of 1*7* he 
came to this county, rented a farm one year, and 
in the meantime purchased 1(1(1 acres of land which 
constitutes his present homestead. Its present con- 
dition indicates the industry and persistence with 
which he has labored. He commenced at first 
principles, there being upon it no improvements 
whatever. He put up a residence, into which he 
removed in the spring of 1*7'.). has planted a large 
a mount of hedge, together with fruit and forest 
trees, and is now giving his attention largely to the 
raising of cattle and swine. ( )f these he keeps only 
good grades, and his farm is admirably adapted to 
this industry, being supplied with running water, 
and furnishing tine pasturage. 

After laying the foundation for his future home. 
Mr. Nesbitt returned to Hanover. III., and was 
married, .Ian. 28, 1879, to MissOrpha R., daughter 
of George and Margaret (Funston) Robinson. Tin' 
parents of Mrs. Nesbitl were both natn es of ( lounty 
Donegal, Ireland. Her paternal grandfather, David 
Robinson, also a native of Ireland, spent his entire 
life upon his native soil. On the mother'- side 
Grandfather .lames Funston emigrated from Ire- 
land to America u hen a \ OUng man. and located in 
Galena, Jo Daviess Co., 111., where he engaged in 
general merchandising a number of j ears. He finally 
sought the Pacific Slope, and died in California. 



1 



-*•- 



598 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



ii^H* 



f 



George Robinson came to America when a lad of 
eleven years, and for a time was employed as a 
clerk in the city of Philadelphia. He was married 
in Galena, and later engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, becoming very successful and the owner of 
a good property. lie died in 1883, at the age of 
sixty-two years, leaving a fine farm of 240 acres, 
with other property. The mother is still living, 
making her home in Hanover, III., and is now six- 
ty-seven years old. Mr. Robinson was a mem- 
ber in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, in which he officiated as Steward, and 
in political matters affiliated with the Republican 
party, of whose principles he was a very warm ad- 
vocate. They were the parents of seven children, 
namely: James, Orpha R, William F., Lincoln, 
Ella, Joseph A and Bertha. 

Mrs. Nesbitt was, like her husband, born in 
Hanover, 111., and of their union there are two 
interesting boys, George L. and Archie L. Mr. 
N. is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, 
attending services at Mission Creek. Mrs. Nesbitt 
belongs to the Methodist Church at Liberty. Our 
subject maintains a warm interest in the temperance 
question, and some time since allied himself with 
the Prohibitionists, by whom he is often sent as a 
delegate to the County and State Conventions. He 
is very popular with his party, and in 1888 was 
made their candidate for the State Legislature. Al- 
though expecting defeat, he ran ahead of his ticket, 
making a very flattering showing. 

The parents of our subject were John and Jane 
(Moffett) Nesbitt, natives of County Monaghan, 
Ireland, and who came to the United States after 
their marriage, which took place in 1845. The 
internal grandfather spent his entire life in his 
native Ireland, engaged in farming pursuits. On 
the mother's side, Grandfather James Moffett was 
also an Irish farmer, the owner of a large estate, 
and he too closed his eyes on his native soil. John 
Nesbitt, upon coining to America, located near 
Galena, in Jo Daviess County, taking up 160 acres 
of Government land, which was mostly covered 
with forest. lie cleared the greater part of it, and 
engaged considerably in stock-raising during the 
latter years of his residence in Illinois. He invested 
his spare capital in additional land, and finally be- 

*• 



came the owner of 340 acres, all of which he 
brought to a good state of cultivation. He was 
recognized as one of the most valued citizens of his 
community, and was elected to the various local 
offices. 

In 1884 the elder Nesbitt disposed of his interests 
in Northern Illinois, and coming to this county, 
purchased land adjoining the limits of Paweee 
City. He has three farms in Mission Creek Pre- 
cinct, together with other valuable real estate, but 
some time since retired from the active labors of 
farm life, and is engaged in money loaning, having 
his residence in Pawnee City. He is now seventy- 
two years old, and the mother sixty-six. He votes 
the straight Republican ticket, and is an active 
member of the United Presbyterian Church, in 
which he has officiated as Elder a period of thirty 
years. The parental family included eleven chil- 
dren, nine of whom are living. These are named 
respectively: Agnes, Maggie, R. J., John D., Helen, 
Josiah, Lizzie, Adeline and Mary E. 



JOSEPH HAZELS. The sturdy Scotch ele- 
ment is amply apparent in the character of 
this highly esteemed farmer of Pawnee Pre- 
cinct, who owns and occupies a fine body of 
its land. He makes a specialty of Galloway cattle 
and Poland-China swine, and from a modest be- 
ginning lias arisen to an enviable position, socially 
and financially. 

A native of Forfarshire, Scotland, our subject 
was bom June 16, 1848, and was the youngest of 
four sons, the offspring of David II. and Elizabeth 
(Thorn) Hazels, who were natives of the same shire 
as their son, and who emigrated to America in 
1871, coming directly to this county. Joseph, on 
leaving his native land, at the age of eighteen, went 
first to South America, and sojourned two years in 
the Argentine Republic. Thence he sailed from Bue- 
nos Ayres to New York City, and a few weeks later 
we find him in this county. He was for two and one- 
half years employed as clerk by Alexander Camp- 
bell, of Marysville, Marshall Co., Kan. At the ex- 
piration of this time he returned to Pawnee City. 




**HI^ 




PAWNEE COUNTY. 



599 



and engaged in mercantile business on his own ac- 
count, associating himself with his brother, David, 
Jr.. and carrying a general slock. The Arm was 1). 
& J. Hazels. The}' operated together twelve 
months, when our subject purchased the interest of 
his brother and conducted the business alone some 
years. 

Mr. Hazels now selling out retired to his farm, one 
and one-half miles northeast of Pawnee City. He 
had eighty acres, finely improved, with a substan- 
tial residence, a good barn and the other necessary 
out-buildings. He sold this property in 1887 for 
$5,000, but regretting the transaction succeeded in 
buying it back in the spring of 1888. He is now 
devoting his attention to his fanning and live-stock 
interests, with marked success, and has fine grades 
of cattle. 

In the fall of 1875 Mr. Hazels assumed matri- 
monial ties, being wedded September 3(1 of that 
year to Miss Lula J., daughter of Robert and Jane 
Andrews, of this county. Mrs. Hazels was burn in 
Iowa, and came with her parents to Nebraska. Our 
subject and his estimable wife have live children, 
namely: Edna, G. A., Joseph Thorn, David L. and a 
babe unnamed. Politically, Mr. Hazels votes inde- 
pendently, and betakes a genuine interest in those 
enterprises calculated for the advancement of his 
county, being always willing to lend his aid to any 
worthy scheme having that object in view. 



-s->- 



^^^5^5^^- 



ft 



ffi£_^UOH W. ROBB is closely identified with the 
||[)ji industrial and agricultural interests of Paw- 
J±wP nee County. He owns a farm of seventy - 
(|jp seven acres of land of unsurpassed fertility, 
finely located on section 12, Miles Precinct. He 
rents his place, however, while he devotes his time 
exclusively to his business as a blacksmith, which 
he has established in the village of Violet. He is a 
man of large, sound common sense, forceful char- 
acter, exemplary habits, and unswerving rectitude 
of purpose, which traits, although he has been a 
resident of this community but a short time, have 
won him the trust and full respect of the people 
with whom he associates. 

Our subject is derived from a sterling ancestry. 

«■ 



II is paternal great-grandfather, a native of Ireland, 
emigrating to this country, located in Virginia, and 
there became a well-to-do planter. His brother, 
Col. Robb, was with the first President Harrison at 
the famous battle of Tippecanoe. The Rev. Hugh 
W. Robb, also son of the Virginia planter, was born 
in that State, and when he attained manhood be- 
gan life as a farmer. At about the age of thirty- 
five he turned his attention to the ministry, and 
being sent to Kentucky on missionary work, be- 
came one of the first settlers of that State. Besides 
devoting himself to his mission, he paid some at- 
tention to farming. He continued in the ministry 
of the Presbyterian faith until his death at the ven- 
erable age of eighty-seven years. The maternal 
grandfather of our subject was born in Scotland. 
and after coming to America he located in Shaw- 
neetown, 111., where he set himself up in business 
at his trade of cabinet-maker, and ran a furniture 
establishment, accumulating much wealth before his 
death. He was a Lutheran in his religious belief. 

Benjamin Robb, the father of our subject, was 
born in Kentucky near the city of Frankfort. He 
was reared in that State to the life of a farmer. He 
was married in Shawneetown, 111., to Martha Nichol- 
son, a native of that place. After marriage Mr. 
Robb returned to Kentucky, and continued agri- 
cultural pursuits there for some years, clearing a 
farm from the wilderness. In 1834, like other 
Kentucky pioneers, he crossed the country to Mis- 
souri, and became a pioneer of that State. lie 
cleared a farm in Marion County, Mo., of which he 
was one of the first settlers. He later disposed of 
his 160-acre tract of land in that part of Missouri, 
and going to Shelby County, that State, improved 
another 160-acre farm. He continued there until 
.about 1859, when he sold his property there, and re- 
tracing his steps eastward as far as Illinois, bought 
a farm in Adams County, and for many years man- 
aged it very profitably. 

Mr. Robb is still living on the old homestead with 
one of his sons, and has attained the advanced age 
of eightj'-six years. His wife died in 1881, having 
rounded out fifty-nine years. He has been quite 
prominent in life in years past, and while in Mis- 
souri served as Justice of the Peace, and as Sheriff. 
In his early days he was a Whig and an ardent ad- 



*► j <• 



JL 



600 



■•► 



i 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



*t 



vocate of the abolition of slaver} - . He joined the 
Republican "party at its formation, and has ever 
since voted for its candidates. He is a member of 
the Baptist Church, and has been Steward of the 
society. T<> him and his wife were born twelve 
children, as follows: Julia A. (deceased), Hugh 
W., Nancy J., Franklin M., Thomas J., Newton J. 
(deceased), James M., John H., Zach T., Benjamin 
F. ; Martha J. (deceased) and EmmaE. The fam- 
ily was well represented in the late Civil War, and 
did heroic service on many a bloody battle-field. 
James and Newton were members of the 50th Illi- 
nois Regiment, and veteranized; Newton died at 
the close of the war; Thomas served through the 
entire war in the 3d Missouri Cavalry; Franklin 
was a member of the Missouri State Militia, and 
later joined the Missouri Volunteers; James was 
wounded five times at the battle of Pittsburg Land- 
ing; when in the heat of the fight he and his com- 
rades, surrounded by the enemy, were attempting 
to cut their way out. " Our subject was born in 
West Ely, Marion Co., Mo., on the 17th of January. 
1836. He remained on his father's farm until 
he was sixteen years of age, obtaining such an edu- 
cation as was possible with the limited school ad- 
vantages afforded by his native place. At the age 
mentioned he was apprenticed to learn the black- 
smith's trade, serving four years, and gaining a 
thorough practical knowledge of the work. After 
that he went to Illinois and opened a blacksmith's 
shop in Adams County. Two years later he closed 
his business there and returned to Missouri, and 
erected a shop in Walnut Grove, Shelby County. 
In 1864 he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, 
and was mustered into the army at Palmyra, in that 
State, and entered the service under Gen. Schofield. 
Our subject was in the battle at Kirksville, under 
O'Neal. The company to which he belonged was 
disbanded until called for, and our subject was dis- 
charged in the spring of 1865, having served credit- 
ably during his short military experience. After 
the war Mr. Robb went to Schiryler County, 111., 
and once more engaged in his trade, opening a 
smithy at Pleasant View, and besides carrying on 
blacksmithing also engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. In 1872 he sought the still comparatively 
wild country of Nebraska with a team, with a view 



of settling in this State. He found a suitable loca- 
tion in Franklin County, and took up 160 acres of 
Government land under the provisions of the Home- 
stead Act, said tract lying near the town of Macon. 
He immediately went to work on it, and developed 
a fine farm, with many valuable improvements. He 
was one of the pioneers of Franklin County, and 
was one of the first to build a smithy there. He 
also made the first plow made west of Lincoln, Neb., 
in 1873. In 1880, renting his farm he moved into 
Franklin, put up a shop, and engaged in blacksmith- 
ing and also in the real-estate business. In the 
fall of 1882 Mr. Robb took a new departure, sold 
his property in Franklin County, took up his resi- 
dence in Pawnee City, and bought Shackley' s town 
property, and forming a partnership with II. Good- 
ale in the foundry business, continued with him 
three years. He then sold his interest in that busi- 
ness, and in partnership with J. H. Irons established 
the city blacksmith-shop. In March, 1888, Mr. 
Robb bought his present farm of seventy-seven 
acres, three of which are cut off by the Burlington 
& Missouri River Railroad. He soon after erected 
his present smithy in this village, and has by good 
workmanship and prompt attention to customers 
worked up quite a large trade. His farm is well 
watered by Ball's Branch, and there is plenty of 
native timber on it, groves and a fine orchard. Mr. 
Robb owns a lot and residence in Pawnee City, be- 
sides other valuable property. 

Mr. Robb has been twice married, the first time 
in Clayton, 111., in 1857, to Miss Mildred J. Tutt, 
a native of Kentucky. Of that union three children 
were born, namely : William B. F., James H. and 
Leodora A. William is a merchant in Franklin, 
Neb.; James is Principal of a school in Minden, 
Neb.; Leodora married Elmer Weston, a farmer of 
Franklin County. After a few years of a happy 
wedded life the first wife of our subject closed her 
eyes to the scenes of earth in 1867, while she was 
yet in life's prime. Our subject was married a sec- 
ond time, in Pleasant View, 111., in 1868, Mrs. 
Minerva A. Powell becoming his wife. She is a 
daughter of Fbenezer Dimmick, and was born in 
Ohio. She had been previously married, and had 
two children by that marriage, Mary A. and Mar- 
garet Powell. The former is in Franklin, and the 



h/J 



-««- 



t 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



601 n 



latter at Ludell, Rawlins Co., Kan. By this marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. Robb have three children, as follows: 
Hugh W., who is studying law at Salem, Neb.; Ida 
M., a teacher in the Violet public schools, and Min- 
nie E., who is dead. 

By years of prudent industry, judicious economy 
and wise management, our subject has accumulated 
a comfortable property. He is a man whose truth- 
fulness, conscientious dealings with his neighbors, 
and his sturdy self-respect have won in return the 
respect and consideration of his neighbors and all 
with whom he comes in contact. He is a man of 
strong religious convictions, and is an active mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Violet, 
being Class- Leader, and has been Superintendent 
of the Sunday-school. He is an earnest advocate 
of prohibition, and has been a delegate to Prohibi- 
tion Count}' and State Conventions. Mr. Robb 
was Postmaster for three years while a resident of 
Macon. Here he is a member of the Board of 
Education, and is at present School Treasurer. 

~~*> -# 3 ^" 1 "~- 



JAMES II. PURCELL. Among the promi- 
nent pioneers of Table Rock Precinct the 
subject of this sketch is numbered as one 
deserving of especial notice. He came to 
this section as earl} - as 18G0, and has proved a 
bright example of sturdy perseverance amid many 
difficulties, lie began in life at the foot of the 
ladder, but is now numbered among the well-to-do 
business men of Pawnee County, being handsomely 
situated financially, and in the enjoyment of a 
splendid patronage as one of the largest hardware 
merchants of Table Rock, lie also owns a large 
extent of land, embracing 470 acres, the greater 
part lying on sections 28 and 21). He also has a good 
residence in town, and in bis hardware operations 
Carries a large and well-selected stock of goods, 
lie is widely and favorably known to the people of 
this section, among whom he has lived an upright 
and honorable life for a period of nearly thirty 
years. 

Mr. Purcell came to Nebraska Oct. 7, 1860, set- 
tling first in Richardson Count}-; he afterward came 
to Pawnee County and purchased 160 acres of land. 



Thirty acres of this had been broken, but otherwise 
it was in an uncultivated condition. After putting 
in his first crops lie commenced the planting of 
trees, devoting ten acres to this purpose, and the 
sprouts which lie then set in the ground would now 
make sawlogs one and a half feet in diameter. He 
commenced his farm operations in Nebraska with 
an ox-team, and his first dwelling was a small frame 
house covered with clapboards and sod. This he 
occupied with his little family for a period of six 
years before he was able to build a better one. In 
the meantime he placed the whole of his land under 
the plow, and besides the forest trees already re- 
ferred to, put out a fruit orchard, with apples, 
peaches and the smaller varieties. He in due time 
had a snug little homestead, but sold it in 1864, 
and coming to this county purchased the first 160 
acres of bis present farm. 

The homestead proper lies on section 28, and 
this, with the exception of thirty acres, was at the 
time of purchase like the other, an uncultivated 
tract of land. Mr. Purcell proceeded as before to 
the opening up of a farm, setting out fruit and 
shade trees, and putting up the necessary buildings. 
He has a good apple orchard. He also planted 
hedge around the most of the farm, a species of 
fence which aids largely in the embellishment of 
the landscape. The Purcell farm is the admiration 
of all observers who pass through this part of the 
country, and reflects great credit upon the energy 
and industry of the proprietor. The residence is 
a tasteful and commodious frame structure, in 
gothie style of architecture, with solid stone foun- 
dations and a line cellar. It is fully as pleasant 
within as without, being neatly and tastefully fur- 
nished, and a dwelling whose inmates are sur- 
rounded by all the comforts of life. In his farm 
Labors Mr. Purcell, during the later years of his 
residence in the country, devoted his attention 
largely to the breeding of tine stock, including 
Durham, Ayrshire and Jersey cattle, usually hav- 
ing at the head of Ms herd a full-blooded animal. 

Mr. Purcell came to Nebraska equipped with 
only the capital of hi.- strong hands and coura- 
geous heart, together with the faithful and efficient 
wife and helpmate, who has labored cheerfully by 
his side in the accumulation of their property. 



■*•- 



i 



4= 



602 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



Many are the tales which they can tell of hardship 
anil privation. His first trading-post was atBrown- 
ville, on the Missouri River miles away, to which he 
was compelled to repair with an ox-team, the round 
trip consuming two or three days. For several sea- 
sons his corn and pork were transported to market 
in this manner, and while there he would receive 
for the latter only one and one-half to two cents 
per pound dressed, and for his corn ten to twelve 
and one-half cents per bushel. On the other hand. 
upon the disbursement of the scant amount of 
money which he could thus obtain, he was obliged 
to pay a high price for the necessary provisions. 
Sugar was a luxury for which the pioneers were 
obliged to pay from eighteen to twenty cents per 
pound. This commodity was used very sparingly 
or not at all. The small quantities of provisions 
they were enabled to buy with their little capital 
would be soon consumed, and the tedious trip re- 
peated. 

In this way our subject labored under many 
difficulties four or five years, and when he began 
to cherish a hope of better days, along came the 
grasshoppers and put the pioneer farmer back 
another two years. Those days of discouragement 
and trouble, however, finally passed away, and 
Mr. Purcell has had reason to rejoice that he was 
enabled to persevere and outlive the storm. His 
later success has repaid him for what he then en- 
dured, lie is in the enjoyment of a fine property, 
and lias little need to ask for more. Notwithstand- 
ing the arduous labors connected with the openino- 
up of his farm, and the almost endless task of 
transforming it into productive fields, lie at the 
same time did not confine himself selfishly to his 
own interests, but assisted in the various enter- 
prises brought forward from time to time to de- 
velop the county, such as building bridges, laying 
out roads, organizing school districts and the va- 
rious other matters which demanded attention as 
the country became settled up. Upon his arrival 
here there was not even a road track from his house 
to llrownville. only a faint trail which at times he 
had difficulty in following. Wild game abounded 
up to 1873. Table Rock Precinct was then all in 
one school district, and the children received their 
<• rly education at Table Rock. 



*> 1L « - 



Mr. Purcell has always been an earnest supporter 
of Republican principles, and has carefully avoided 
becoming an office-holder, with the exception of 
serving a brief time as School Director. He is a 
man of more than ordinary mental ability — one 
who keeps himself well posted upon current events. 
In his business relations he is highly spoken of as 
a man of strictest integrity. 

Mr. Purcell was born in Jackson County, Tenn., 
Feb. 11, 1832, and lived there until a youth of 
fifteen years. He then removed with his patents 
to Christian County. Ky., and later to Perry, 111.. 
where he completed a good practical education. 
Later he was employed on a farm in the Prairie 
State, and there also met the lady who was destined 
to become his wife. Miss Margaret Lane, and they 
were married in Perry County, 111.. March 16, 
1860. Of this union there were born four chil- 
dren, all of whom are living, namely: Willard W., 
Albert J., Delia and Milan. The two j^ounger are 
at home witli their parents. Willard married Miss 
Minnie Rail, and operates the old homestead: they 
have two children. Albert married Miss Ida Stew- 
art, and they have one child, a daughter Maude. 
This son is the partner of his father in the hard- 
ware trade, and although a young man. has evinced 
admirable business qualifications. 

Mrs. Margaret Purcell was born in Perry ('(.unity. 
111., where she lived until her marriage. Her 
father. ('. II. Lane, was a native of Tennessee, and 
was a practicing physician for many years; he is 
still living, making his home in Jackson County, 
111. 

James J. Purcell. the father of our subject, was 
a native of Jackson County. Tenn.. and married 
Miss Rebecca Short, who was also born in that State. 
They became t he parents of eight children', all of 
whom lived to mature years. The family removed 
first to Kentucky, then to Illinois, and finally to 
Nebraska, prior to the time James II. took up land 
in Richardson County. The father also secured 
land in Richardson County, in Long Branch Pre- 
cinct, which he occupied for a time, then sold and 
purchased on section 21, in Table Rock. The lat- 
ter he improved into a good farm, and lived upon 
it until resting from his earthly labors. The mother 
of our subject had died in Illinois, and Mr. Purcell 




A^ 



*» 



4- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



603 > ' 



was married a .second time. The paternal grand- 
father, James Purcell, was a native of Germany, 
and upon coming to the United States early in 
manhood settled in Tennessee, where he spent, the 
remainder of his life. 



*-■&<-■' <~f£*' 






<| WILLIAM B. BULL, Mayor of Pawnee City, 
\jcj// ' s a man who, wherever lie has been, has 
Ww most decidedly left his mark. Intelligent, 
straightforward and business-like, his birth took 
place in the town of Amity, Madison Co., Ohio, 
Aug. 31. 1828. His early years were comparatively 
uneventful, spent principally upon a farm in Frank- 
lin County, and pursuing his studies in the common 
schools. As a youth he was ambitious of advance- 
ment, and we find him later a student of the 
Young Men's Seminary in Westerville; upon leav- 
ing this he entered a select school in the city of 
Columbus. 

When a young man of twenty-two years Mr. 
Bull started for the Pacific Slope, and sojourned in 
California a period of two years, engaged in min- 
ing. At the expiration of this time, returning 
home, he was engaged as clerk in a store a year, 
and in 1854 migrated to Livingston County, 111., 
and settled upon a farm, which he conducted a 
period of fourteen years. Later he was connected 
with a hardware store at Fairbury, 111., two years, 
and in 1870 decided to cast his lot with the people 
of Nebraska. 

Upon coming to this county Mr. Bull settled on 
a farm seven miles north of Pawnee City, where he 
operated twelve 3'ears. Then, abandoning agri- 
cultural pursuits, he changed his residence to Paw- 
nee City, where he has since resided, retired from 
active labor. He has large interests in a cattle 
ranch in Montana, and other business resources 
which yield him a handsome income. 

There were born to Alanson and Hannah (Leon- 
ard) Bull, the parents of our subject, eight chil- 
dren, of whom William B. was the third of the 
family. His father was born in Manchester, Yt.. 
in 1798, and the mother in Springfield, Mass., in 
1800. Both were of English ancestry, and re- 
moved from New England at an early date, settling 



in Franklin County, Ohio, while it was probably 
the abode of bears, wolves and other wild animals. 
Al.inson Bull was one of the solid farmers of Frank- 
lin County, and lived there until the summer of 
1845, when the family all removed to Columbus, 
where the death of the father took place in 1858, 
The mother survived her husband many yearsi her 
death taking place in 1884, at Columbus, Ohio, 
when she was quite aged. 

The spring of 1855 witnessed the marriage of 
our subject with Miss Sarah H. Pool, in Matamora, 
Woodford Co., 111. Mrs. Bull was born in New 
Hampshire, in February, 1838. and is the daughter 
of H. A. and Miranda Pool, who are now deceased. 
Six children came to the fireside of Mr. and Mrs. 
Bull, and were named respectively: Charles S.. 
Horace H., May A., Mira M., Hiram A. and Leon- 
ard N. They are residents mostly of Nebraska. 
Mr. Bull, while a resident of Livingston County, 
111., served as a Commissioner two years, and Town- 
ship Supervisor one year. He was elected to his 
present office in the spring of 1888, on the Repub- 
lican ticket, his sympathies being decidedly in 
favor of the principles of this part}*. During the 
Civil War he distinguished himself as an opponent 
of slaveiy - , and no man rejoiced more than he at 
the emancipation of the colored race. He repre- 
sents a goodly amount of real estate, having two 
farms in this county, one mostly devoted to pas- 
ture and one lying adjacent, to the city limits. 
They comprise together HGO acres of valuable 
laud. 



3?%8=± 



** W^ 




II E.BAKER. We find this gentleman finely 

i@/LJI situated at a pleasant country home on 

section 8, in West Branch Precinct, where 

he owns and operates 120 acres of v, 1 

land. Beginning with the earlj- events of his life 
we find that he was born in Boston Township, 
Washington Co., Ohio, Feb. 25, 1828. and when a 
lad six years of age removed with li is parents to 
Pike County, 111. There he grew to man's estate 
with limited educational advantages, and learned 
the cooper's trade, at which he worked a number 
of 3'ears, and until 1851. • He was then engaged in 
farming one year, at the expiration .of which time 



Hr 



A 



■**- 



BO 4 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



he resumed work at his trade, remaining in Pike 
Count)' until 1857. Then changing his residence 
to Grundy County, that State, lie rented a tract of 
land, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 
after the outbreak of the Civil War. 

On the 1st of August, 1862, Mr. Baker enlisted 
as a Union soldier in the 127th Illinois Infantry, 
which became a part of the 2d Brigade, 2d Di- 
vision, 15th Army Corps, and was assigned to the 
Army of the Tennessee under Gen. Sherman. Mr. 
Baker and his comrades were mustered into service 
at Chicago, Aug. 13, 1802, and soon afterward 
proceeded South, meeting the enemy in battle at 
Vicksburg. Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post; 
then returned to Young's Point, and marched down 
the west side of the river, which they crossed at 
Ft. Hudson, and afterward were in the battle at 
Champion Hills, in the rear of Vicksburg, besides 
several other minor engagements, before the gen- 
eral siege of Vicksburg, where they were for forty 
days skirmishing and fighting nearly every day. 
After the surrender the regiment went to Jackson, 
Miss., and after the fight at that place were sent to 
Camp Sherman. Next they scouted up the Big 
Black River for a few days; then by boat to Mem- 
phis, Tenn.: from there started by rail for Chatta- 
nooga, but the road having been destroyed by the 
rebels, they had to foot it part of the way. They 
were in the division that crossed the river on pon- 
toons and captured the rebel pickets. At the bat- 
tle of Mission Ridge, shortly after, our subject was 
with his company in four separate charges on that 
desperately fought field. From there they went to 
Knoxville, Tenn., following up Longstreet's army. 
This closed active operations, and they were in 
camp in Alabama for the winter. On the opening 
of the Atlanta campaign they were assigned to the 
army operating against that place under Sherman. 
During this time our subject was promoted to Cor- 
poral. They fought at Resaca, at Dallas, Chatta- 
hoochee. Kingston, Kenesaw Mountain, and were 
in the grand advance under Mcpherson. Our sub- 
ject was now made Sergeant. After taking part in 
several other operations, as shown in the history of 
the war in that region, the army again fell back on 
Atlanta, and then started after Hood, returning 
again to the Chattahoochee River. Their next 



great movement was the march to the sea, where 
the regiment took place in the engagement at Sa- 
vannah! They were in Gen. Hazen's division in 
the attack on Ft. McAllister, and he was then de- 
tailed for duty at Gen. Howard's headquarters. 
Next he went with his company to Beaufort, S. C, 
their objective point being Goldsboro, N. C. 

In the engagement at Columbia the day follow- 
ing Mr. Baker was taken ill and removed in am- 
bulance to the regimental hospital at Goldsboro. 
Thence he was sent to Beaufort, N. C, where he 
was confined from the 9th of April until June, and 
was then obliged to accept an honorable discharge. 
He now returned to Grundy County, 111., where he 
resumed the farming operations which had been 
interrupted by the war, remaining there until the 
spring of 1868. Soon afterward we find him in 
this count)', to which he came overland with teams, 
crossing the Mississippi at New Boston, the Mis- 
souri at Brownville, and occupying three weeks in 
making the journey. He homesteaded 120 acres 
of land on section 8, in West Branch Precinct, 
being one of its first settlers. 

Mr. Baker began breaking the soil and effecting 
improvements as rapidly as possible, setting out 
forest and fruit trees, including a fine grove and an 
orchard of five acres in extent. He was at times 
visited by the Indians, who pursued the old trail 
crossing his farm and running from the Indian 
reservation to White Cloud. The redskins never 
offered to molest him, with the exception of beg- 
ging for something to eat or some trinket which 
they fancied. Mr. Baker enclosed a goodly portion 
of his land with hedge, and the first year put up a 
stone building. Of late years he has given special 
attention to the breeding of live stock, including 
horses, cattle and swine, keeping good grades of all 
these. Our subject was married in New Salem, 
Pike Co., 111., Oct. 3, 1850, to Miss Mary J. Stitt. 
daughter of James and Margaret (Marshall) Stitt. 
Mr. Stitt was a native of Ireland, whence he emi- 
grated to America with his parents when a child. 
The mother was born in Huntingdon County, Pa. 
The maternal grandfather was of English descent, 
but born in the State of Maryland. He learned 
wheelwrighting in his youth. Mr. Stitt learned the 
art of fulling, wool carding and weaving in his 




•^r^ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



605 



native State, but upon li is removal to the West 
purchased land, and thereafter engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits. He settled in l'ike County, 111., in 
1837, and lived there until 1850, when he sold his 
land and rented for four years. Later he removed 
to Grundy County, where his death took place 
about 1873. The mother moved to the town of 
Verona, where she lived until 1880, then came to 
Nebraska and made her home with her children 
until her death, which occurred in 1881, when she 
was seventy-seven years of age. Mr. Stitt was an 
Elder of the Presbyterian Church for a period of 
forty years. 

.Airs. Baker was born at Shade Gap. Huntingdon 
Co., Pa., Aug. 17, 1831, and was six years old 
when her parents removed to Illinois. Of her 
union with our subject there have been born five 
children, namely: James, Margaret. Nina, Esla and 
Esta, twins. Mr. Baker, politically, votes the 
straight Republican ticket, and for many years has 
been connected with the School Board. He has 
been a member of the Republican Central Commit- 
tee for the past ten years, and frequently served as 
a delegate to the various County Conventions. 
Mrs. Baker is a lady of great refinement, and 
well fitted to be the companion of such a man 
as her husband. 

Alpheus Baker, the father of our subject, was 
born in Washington County, Ohio, and married 
Miss Mary Chapman, a native of the same. Ben- 
jamin Baker, the paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was a native of England, and emigrated to 
America with his parents when a boy, they settling 
among the earliest pioneers of Washington County, 
Ohio. He followed agriculture, and lived to be 
over eight}* years of age. On the mother's side 
Grandfather Elisha Chapman was also a native of 
England, and crossed the Atlantic when a boy with 
his parents, in time to carry a musket in the Revo- 
lutionary War. lie also lived to an advanced age, 
and spent his last years in Ohio. The father of 
(■in- subject later served as Drum Major in the Ohio 
Militia. Upon approaching manhood he learned 
the cooper's trade, which he followed for a time 
after settling in Illinois. He spent his last years in 
Pike County, the latter State, dying at the age of 
seventy-four years. His wife had preceded him to 



the better land, her death taking place in 1865, 
when she was sixty years old. Roth were members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their chil- 
dren were named respectively: Sylvester E., All- 
relius E., our subject; Clarissa, Darius. Malvina, 
Almira and Nancy. Darius, during the Civil War, 
enlisted in the 99th Illinois Infantry, which was 
assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and par- 
ticipated in many of the important battles of the 



""' "'(b'^'JDS's)'* •** 



]U^ ON. THEODORE W. PEPOON. The 

|J character of a man may usually be cor- 
=^- rectly ascertained from his home surround- 
1|y) ings and his private life. In that of the 
subject of this sketch arc displayed all the evi- 
dences of culture and refinement, and this, in con- 
nection with ample means, presents the picture of 
the ideal home. One noticeable feature is the lit- 
erature to be met with at every turn. The cur- 
rent magazines, music and paintings add to the 
general effect. In the latter one daughter of 
the household excels, taking it up naturally, and 
having enjoyed the advantages of one of the ait 
schools of Chicago. 

Table Rock Precinct contains no more popular 
family than that of the subject of our sketch, who 
has been a resident of this county since 18G9. The 
homestead proper comprises 210 acres of land 
lying on sections 7 and 8, the residence being on 
the latter. Mr. Pepoon came to Nebraska in 1869, 
purchasing the land which he still owns and oc- 
cupies. Its condition then, however, was in strong 
contrast to that of the present, it being a raw. 
uncultivated tract, without fences, buildings, or 
any other attempt at improvement. Our pioneer 
made his home the first summer with his brother. J. 
B. Pepoon, and in the meantime put up the resi- 
dence which he still occupies. It was then con- 
sidered the best farmhouse in the county. It is 
two stories in height, convenient and well arranged, 
handsomely finished and furnished. The family 
took possession in the spring of 1870, and Mr. 1*. 
then gave his attention exclusively to the cultiva- 
tion and improvement of his land. The material 
for his farm buildings was hauled from Brownville, 




G06 



-•*■ 



pawnee county. 




thirty miles away, which was also the nearest 
market for produce. In addition to sowing and 
reaping, Mr. Pepoon set out forest trees, ever- 
greens, hedge and an apple orchard, together with 
the smaller fruits, plums, cherries, etc. As time 
passed on and his means permitted, he provided 
himself with improved machinery, and gradually 
added to his farming operations blooded stock, 
cattle, horses and swine. Of these he has of late 
years made a specialty, with excellent results. 

A native of the Buckeye State, Mr. Pepoon was 
born in Painesville, Lake County, Aug. 29, 1836, 
and lived there until a lad of fourteen years. 
He then emigrated to Illinois with his parent? and 
family, and completed a practical education in 
Mt. Carroll Seminary. Later he engaged as a 
teacher. His father's family were all well educated, 
many of them also engaging as teachers. Our 
subject was a resident of Jo Daviess County until 
1869, and in the spring of that year crossed the 
Missouri and took up his residence in this county. 
He was married, Nov. 20, 1860, to Miss Susan 
Robinson. Four children have come to bless this 
union, namely : Percy, Alice, Lucy and Mary. The 
three daughters are living at home with their 
parents, making a most interesting and attractive 
group; the son is working at the printer's trade 
in Omaha. It is hardly necessary to add that they 
are being given first-class educational advantages. 
Upon the walls of their dwelling are some fine 
specimens of painting, mainly the work of Miss 
Alice, already spoken of. Miss Lucy at an early 
age evinced more than ordinary musical talent, 
and is now a fine performer on the piano, besides 
being a good alto singer. 

Mrs. Susan (Robinson) Pepoon was born in Jo 
Daviess County, 111., Sept. 15, 1840, and lived 
there until the time of her marriage, completing 
her education in Mt. Carroll Seminary. Her 
father, James Robinson, was a native of Virginia, 
whence he emigrated when a young man to the 
vicinity of the lead mines of Galena, 111., and later 
was married to Miss Cassandra Morris, who with 
her parents journeyed all the way from Kentucky 
by wagons to Illinois, and were in Jo Daviess 
County at the time of the Black Hawk War. The 
young people commenced life together on a farm 



in Jo Daviess County among its earliest pioneers, 
and reared a family of five children. Mr. Robin- 
son, aside from his services as a soldier in the war 
above spoken of, carried on farming all his life. 
His death took place in January, 1846, at the old 
homestead in Jo Daviess County. The mother 
survived a number of years, dying in Falls City, 
in 1883, at the age of sixty-nine .years, having 
been born in 1814. 

Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, greatly to 
li is regret Mr. Pepoon was not permitted, on 
account of home cares, to enter the ranks, much 
as he desired. In due time, however, some of his 
neighbors' sons who had gone to the front and re- 
turned disabled consented to look after his father's 
farm, and he then hastened to proffer his services 
in assisting to preserve the Union. He enlisted in 
the spring of 1865, in Company K, 96th Illinois 
Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the 
Cumberland. We must not omit to say that four 
of his brothers were at the same time doing serv- 
ice as soldiers and patriots. The regiment of Mr. 
P. was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, 
but he was not permitted to enter into any active 
engagement, the war then approaching its close, and 
this division of the troops being in camp at Nash- 
ville. He received his honorable discharge, and 
was mustered out in January, 1866. In the mean- 
time he had seen sufficient of army life to know 
there were hardships and privations to be endured, 
and he underwent the fatigue of marching from 
Nashville, Tenn., to Texas. 

Upon returning home from the army Mr. Pepoon 
resumed the various duties of farm life in Illinois, 
but not long afterward began to look longingly 
to the rich soil of Nebraska. He was soon recog- 
nized as a valued addition to the community of 
Table Rock Precinct, and since that time has 
been foremost in encouraging the enterprises cal- 
culated to advance the moral and financial welfare 
of the people. He has held the various township 
and school district offices, and in 1876 was nom- 
inated by the Republican party for the State Senate, 
elected, and served his term with great credit. He 
served on many important committees, namely: 
Those on Agriculture, Highways, Bridges, Library 
and Claims. He introduced the bill to reimburse 



f 



•#-*-«- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



007 



owners of stock which had been killed on railroads, 
and one compelling railroad companies to cleanse 
all stock cars after they had once been used. A 
man of excellent education, Mr. Pepoon from 
1881 until 1885 was editor and publisher of the 
Falls City Journal, there being associated with his 
son. 

The father of our subject, Silas Pepoon, was 
born in Connecticut, and spent his last years in 
Illinois. Percy P., the son of our subject, and a 
young man of more than ordinary business capac- 
ities, was born in Illinois, where his early education 
was conducted, and later he was a cadet at West 
Point. Upon returning home he became interested 
in the printing business, being connected with the 
Falls City Journal two years. Later he was the 
partner of W. W. Abby, and still owns a half-in- 
terest in the Journal. He married Beatrice Vig- 
gers. This section of Pawnee County is one really 
remarkable for the number of its cultured and 
educated men. 



eUARLES W. CURRY is the son of a well- 
known pioneer farmer of Plum Creek Pre- 
cinct, and has himself for some years been 
active in developing and sustaining the large agri- 
cultural interests of Pawnee County, he being an 
intelligent, wide-awake, progressive young man, 
who is considered one of the most prominent resi- 
dents of the precinct. 

Our subject was born near Platte City, Platte 
Co., Mo., Dec. 25, 1857. His father, George W. 
Curry, was born in Frederick County. \'a., July 
21. ISIS, and his mother, whose maiden name was 
Ellen M. Rankin, was born in Morgan County. Ya., 
March 20. 182(1. Thomas Curry, grandfather of 
our subject, was born in Ireland, and later in life 
migrated to this country and located in Virginia, 
where lie carried on his trade of weaver. He died 
in Frederick County, at the age of fifty years. 
Simeon Rankin, the maternal grandfather of our 
subject, was a native of Virginia. He was a Lum- 
berman, and had a sawmill on Sleepy Creek, a 
tributary of the Potomac River. lie was quite an 
extensive land-owner, and had 500 acres of land in 



one body, anil 160 acres adjacent to the 500, and at 
the time of his death. April 2:!. 1844, at the age of 
fifty-two years, was quite wealthy, lie took part 
in the War of 1812, as a private. His father. 
William Rankin, was also a lumberman, and very 
wealthy. He was born in Virginia, near Swan 
Pond, in Jefferson County, and was the son of a 
gentleman who was a native of Ireland. 

The father of our subject grew up on a farm in 
Virginia, and when a young man went to Pennsyl- 
vania, where he married. He engaged as a farmer 
iu that State, owning a small farm. He later moved 
to Harrison County, Mo., and after fanning there 
five years, took up his residence in Jefferson County. 
Ohio. A year later, in 1850, he moved still farther 
West, and until 1858 lived in Platte County, Mo. 
In that year lie bought land, a tract of eighty acres. 
in Pottawatomie County. Kan., improved and cul- 
tivated it until May, 1S02, when he enlisted in 
Company K, 2.'5d Kansas Cavalry, and was mustered 
into the Army of the West, under Gen. Blunt, at 
Ft. Reilly. lie took part in the battles of Pea 
Ridge and Boston Mountain, and was mustered out 
Feb. 26. 1663, on account of disability. He re- 
enlisted in October, 1863, in Company G, 11th 
Kansas Cavalry, and did valiant and efficient serv- 
ice on many a hard-fought battle-field Or in sudden 
skirmishes with the enemy, until the close of the 
war. He was honorably discharged at Leaven- 
worth, Kan., May 15, 1865. While he was thus 
lighting his country's battles, his noble, patient 
wife was bravely caring for their family at home, 
managing their farm with gnat skill. They con- 
tinued to live in Kansas until March. 1866, when 
they removed to Pawnee County, this state, bring- 
ing their family and household goods with a team. 

Mr. Curry purchased 120 acres of bottomland, 
lying on Wolf Creek, in Plum (reck l'rccinct, and 
took up besides 160 acres of Government laud on 
section 8, under the provisions of the Homestead 
Act. He was one of the first settlers iu the pre- 
cinct, and from that time until his death. Oct. 25. 
is;:!, was busily engaged in making improvements 
on his land, cultivating it and raising stock. He 
was in all respects a good and Loyal citizen, and his 
death took from this Community one of its most 
valued members. Religiously, he was a member of 



•►ft* 



*r 



4 



608 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



~h 



f 



tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, as was his wife 
also, and politically, he was an earnest supporter 
of the Republican party. The mother of our sub- 
ject, a highly esteemed lady, makes her home with 
him. The following is recorded of the eleven chil- 
dren born to her and her husband: William and 
Simeon T. are dead; Mary M. is in Louisville, Ky.; 
John F. is in Livingston County, Mo.; Phoebe .1. 
is in Colorado; George N. is in Nebraska; Albert 
K. is dead; James E. is in Red Willow County, 
Neb.; Lucy F. is in Audubon County, Mo.; Charles 
W.; Loins W. is in Pawnee County. Simeon T. 
enlisted in the 2d Kansas Cavalry in 1862, was 
taken sick soon after, and died; John was a mem- 
ber of the 2d Kansas Cavalry from 1862 until the 
close of the war. 

Charles Curry was eight years old when be ac- 
companied his parents to their pioneer home in this 
precinct, and he grew to man's estate on his father's 
homestead, receiving a good common-school edu- 
cation. ' He remained with his mother until he was 
twenty -one, and then commenced life for himself, 
engaging in farming and stock-raising on his pres- 
ent place. He was so successful in his ventures 
that he was enabled to buy eighty acres of it, and also 
eighty more on the same section. On this he has 
made all the improvements, erecting a good house, 
barns, and other necessary farm buildings, planting 
groves and an orchard of 100 trees, fenced and 
hedged his land, which is well watered by Wolf 
Creek, and he has an abundant supply of native 
timber, some twelve acres. Mr. Curry is prosper- 
ously engaged in raising both grain and stock, and 
of the latter has some fine specimens, ten head of 
horses of fine breed, one-half Clyde, besides some 
handsome graded cattle. 

The marriage of our subject to Miss Lucinda O. 
Clark took place in < tsborne City, Osborne Co., Kan.. 
Aug. 14. 187'.), and of their happy union two chil- 
dren have been born — Lulu M. and Robert E. Mrs. 
Curry was born near Eagleville, Harrison Co., Mo., 
and is the daughter of John and Nancy M. (Burns) 
Clark, natives respectively of Ohio and Kentucky. 
Thomas Clark, grandfather of our subject, was of 
Irish descent, and a native of Ohio. He farmed in 
that .State for many years, lint subsequently moved 
to Bartholomew County, hid., where he died. Mrs. 



Curry's maternal grandfather, James Barns, a na- 
tive of Kentucky, of Irish descent, became a resi- 
dent of Bartholomew County. Ind., in the latter part 
of his life. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War. Mrs. Curry's father was married in Indiana, 
and moving from there to Harrison County, Mo., 
took up a 160-acre tract of land and improved it. 
He continued farming there until 1878, when he 
moved to Rooks County, Kan., where he took up a 
half-section of land under the provisions of the 
Homestead Act. He and his wife still make their 
home there, he being now sixty-five years old. and 
she sixty-four years of age. They are people of 
sincere religious convictions, and are esteemed 
members of the Methodist Episcopal and Christian 
Churches respectively. They are the parents of 
eight children, namely : Emma, Martha J., Mary A., 
Lucinda ()., Nancy M., Thomas R., James W. 
and Millard M. 

Both as a citizen and as a man, our subject justly 
holds a high place in this community. In him every 
good cause finds a ready champion, and he endeav- 
ors earnestly to promote the moral, material and 
religious advancement of this precinct, where he 
has passed so many years of his life as boy and 
man. He does all in his power to further the edu- 
cational facilities of the town, and acted as School 
Moderator for nine years, and is the present 
Treasurer of the School Board. Both he and his 
amiable wife are zealous members of the Christian 
Church at Pleasant Valley, and he has been Assist- 
ant Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has 
served on the Grand Jury. In politics he warmly 
espouses the Union Labor party. He was at one 
time connected with the I. O. G. T. 



\I OSEPII B. PAR1USII. This well-known 
resident of Table Rock Precinct came to 
Nebraska first in the year 1858. staying 
/ here but a short time, however, and then 
going back to Pennsylvania, where he remained 
until 1867. In the latter year he returned to Ne- 
braska, and settled on his present homestead on 
Clear Creek. This was all then raw prairie, and his 
labor for manj- years was devoted entirely to its 



t 






-*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY, 



!f 



-h f t» -»- 

609 , , 



t 



improvement. He planted many trees and set out 
a good orchard, and for several years before any 
other resident in the neighborhood had a good 
crop of peaches. Fruits of all kinds, indeed, he 
raised in abundance. 

Our subject was born in Kingston. Pa., and in 
1840 contracted his first marriage, his wife being 
Miss Ruth G rilling, a native of Canaan, Pa., and a 
daughter of William M. Grilling. For further par- 
ticulars of her family history see sketch of Arthur 
( Iritling. on another page. Of this union eight chil- 
dren were born, seven of whom accompanied their 
parents to this State, namely: Annette, Lucy, Will- 
iam. Mary. Clarence. Frank and Idelia. The one 
who died was named Joseph. The mother of this 
family lived but two years after coming to this 
State. 

The second wife of Mr. Parrish was Mrs. Rosetta 
Brock, widow of John Brock, and who is now the 
oldest settler in this precinct. She first came to 
Nebraska in 1856, and with her parents settled on 
the farm which is now her home. Her early expe- 
riences on these prairies were of the roughest, for 
the first winter they lived in an unchinked log cabin, 
14x14, without either floor or chimney. The winter 
proved an exceptionally stormy one. and, to make 
it still more lonely for the new-comers, there was 
not a neighbor living within many miles. Snows 
were frequent and heavy, and for weeks at a time 
the parents and their five children lived on hulled 
corn and such game as they could shoot. There 
was not then a store or post-office on this side of 
the Missouri River, and the life of the settler of 
that early day was certainly one of hardship. Since 
then, however, great changes have taken place, and 
her childhood's home, on which she is again living, 
has been transformed from a bleak prairie into a 
beautiful and fertile farm, with a handsome and 
commodious residence, and every modern conven- 
ience for comfort. 

After some years our subject sold his farm on 
Clear Creek and bought, as already intimated, the 
farm which had been the home of his wife's father. 
and there he has ever since resided. 1 [e is a man who 
is highly respected in the precinct, and, although 
no politician, has been called upon by his neigh- 
bors to serve them in local office, having been Con- 



stable and Road Supervisor. In politics he nets 
with the Republican party. He is really a self- 
made man, all that he now possesses being the re- 
sult of his own labors. The only money he ever 
got without working for it was *1 given to him by 
his grandmother when a boy. 

J --1 AMES KENNEDY, a respected and prosper- 
ous member of the farming community of 
Pawnee County, is profitably tilling the fer- 
tile acres of his valuable and well-improved 
farm on section 7, in the pleasant precinct of Miles. 
He inherited from a sturdy, industrious, honorable 
ancestry those sterling traits of character whereby 
he has made life a success. He is of mixed Celtic 
and Welsh descent. His paternal grandfather, 
James Kennedy, was born in Ireland, and when 
young came to America and settled in Pennsyl- 
vania. He carried on the trade of weaver'in that 
State, and was there married, and soon afterward 
moved to Warren Count}-, Ohio. He at first cast 
in his lot with the early pioneers of that county, 
but a short time after ward moved to Butler County, 
the same State, and became an early settler there. 
He cleared a farm from the timber, and there 
rounded out a good old age of eighty-four years, 
his death occurring April 15. 1845. He was a 
strong Presbyterian in his religious faith, belong- 
ing to the United Presbyterian Church. The 
maternal grandfather of our subject, whose name 
was Lowrey, was a native of Wales. He came to 
America when a young man, and was a pioneer in 
Scott County, Ky. He was there actively en- 
gaged as a farmer for several years, and his death 
occurred in his adopted State. 

John Kennedy, the father of our subject, was 
born in Warren County, Ohio, but his parents re- 
moving to Butler County soon after he was reared 
in that county to man's estate, and was there mar- 
ried to Catharine Lowrey, who after the death of 
her parents had removed from her native Ken- 
tucky to Butler County, Ohio. Mr. Kennedy had 
become an adept at the carpenter's and also at the 
millwright's trades and conducted both in his na- 
tive State until 1835. In that year the fame of 



*T 



*~-0^+- 



610 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



Hr 



^T^ 



the great agricultural facilities offered by the Ter- 
ritory of Iowa, which but a year or two before had 
been thrown open to settlement, attracted him to 
locate within its bounds and devote himself to 
farming. After his arrival in that part of the 
country lie pre-empted a half-section of land in 
Louisa County, and began its improvement. In 
the fall of 1836 he returned to Ohio to secure 
the necessary school privileges for his children that 
the newer country of Iowa did not then offer, 
there being but few white settlers there at that 
time. He settled on the old homestead in his 
native State, and conducted farming there until 
1853, when he sold all his property there and re- 
turned to his Iowa possessions. He engaged in 
agriculture there until 1857, when Ids useful and 
honorable life was brought to a close, at the age 
of sixty-three. His wife had preceded him in 
death many years before, dying while yet in life's 
prime, in September, 1835. Of their union seven 
children were born. Mr. Kennedy was a man of 
marked force of character, of an earnest, thought- 
ful mind, and of superior intelligence and integ- 
rity, and exerted a good influence among the 
pioneers of his adopted State. 

The subject of this biographical notice was the 
second child born to his worthy parents, and his 
birth took place in their borne near Monroe, But- 
ler Co., Ohio, May 16, 1825. He was about ten 
years old when he accompanied his father to Iowa, 
and can still remember the incidents of the jour- 
ney and the scenes in the strange, wild land be- 
yond the Mississippi, still peopled by the Indians. 
Indeed, the growth not only of the States beyond 
the Father of Waters has taken place in his day, 
but that of the greater part of the Middle West- 
ern States, his native Ohio when he left it the 
first time still being in the hands of the pioneers, 
who had by no means reclaimed the soil from the 
dense primeval forest that once formed so impor- 
tant a feature in the landscape of the country, and 
the aboriginal settlers of the wilderness stilMingered 
in their old haunts. It is within his recollection 
that many of the great changes have taken place 
that have made these States great and powerful 
commonwealths, that in the march of civilization 
the log cabin or dug-out has given place to the 

4" 



commodious farmhouse or stately mansion, anil 
that the rude appliances of pioneer life have given 
place to the modern conveniences and comforts. 
After remaining a year in Iowa the father of our 
subject, anxious that his children should be well 
educated, as before mentioned, returned with them 
to Ohio, and there our subject attended the com- 
mon schools. He remained on the home farm un- 
til lie was twenty-one, and he then rented land and 
carried on agriculture on his own account in his 
native State until 1851, when he returned to Iowa 
by boat, and with his brother began working his 
father's farm, which was situated one and one-half 
miles from the Mississippi. After the death of the 
father they continued to carry on the farm until 
1882, the month of .January, when our subject 
sold and moved to Pawnee City. He rented 
land near there the first year and then bought his 
present place, which then comprised 240 acres of 
land, partly improved, adjoining Burchard. In 
1862 lie sold eighty acres of it to W. J. Haider- 
man, and retained 160 acres, which he has put 
in a fine state of cultivation. He has erected 
suitable farm buildings, dwelling-house, barn, etc., 
and has built up a home replete with all the 
comforts of modem life. He has set out a fine 
orchard and made many other improvements, 
so that his farm is classed among the most valua- 
ble in the precinct. He is chiefly engaged in grain 
raising, in which he has beeu veiy successful, and 
his granaries are filled after each harvest with 
grain of a superior quality. He was formerly 
much interested in raising blooded stock, but he 
has abandoned that branch of agriculture. 

Mr. Kennedy was married to the good wife 
who has so faithfully co-operated with him in his 
work, in the month of December, 1S58, in Louisa 
County, Iowa. Her maiden name was Nancy J. 
Herron, and she was born in Preble County, Ohio. 
The pleasant wedded life of our subject and his 
wife has been blessed to them by the birth of three 
children, as follows: John O, who has a farm in 
Sherman, Kan., which he took up as a homestead; 
Belle and Jennie, who are at home with their par- 
ents. Although Mr. Kennedy has been a resident 
of Miles Precinct but a few years, he is thoroughly 
identified with its best interests, and he and his 



his J) 



■*•■ 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



611 i i 



*t 



family are considered valuable members of this 
community. During his career as an agriculturist 
our subject has displayed commendable enter- 
prise and forethought, and in all his dealings he 
has been straightforward and honest, and his 
neighbors and friends have ever placed the most 
implicit trust in him. Religiously, he and his wife 
are united -with the United Presbyterian Church 
at Burchard, and cordially co-operate with their 
fellow-members in their efforts to elevate the moral 
tone of the community. Politically, Mr. Kennedy 
advocates the principles promulgated b}- the Re- 
publican party. 



<9 IMLLIAM WHITE takes a high stand for 
\jsJu t,aet ant ' fi nanc ' a ' ability among the young 
y/ty business men of Pawnee County, and in 
him the city of Table Rock, where he is engaged in 
the lumber and implement trade, finds one of her 
most useful and wide-awake citizens, who is doing 
much to extend her commercial interests. He is a 
native of Illinois, born in DnPage County, June 
26, 1859. His father. Thomas White, was born in 
England, probably in Yorkshire. He was married, 
while a resident of England, to Miss Kittie Reason, 
a native of Yorkshire, and to them were born six 
children, three of whom are still living in Illinois. 
When about twenty-three years old hi; came to 
America, settling first in Canada. He subsequently 
went to Ohio, and from there to DuPage County, 
III., where he was employed at fanning. Early in 
the sixties Mr. White moved with his family to Will 
County, in the same State, and bought a tract of wild 
prairie land, which he has since improved into one 
of the finest farms in that locality, and on it he 
built up one of the most attractive and comforta- 
ble homes in that county. In 1886, still retaining 
his Illinois property, Mr. White moved to Gage 
County, Neb., near Filley, onto a farm which he 
had purchased some years previously, and it is now 
one of the finest improved places in that county. 
He and his worthy wife are people of high con- 
sideration and standing in the community where 
they have gone to spend their declining years, their 
kindness and geniality having soon secured them 
*• 



many warm friends. Mr. White has avoided of- 
fice, preferring the quietude and comfort of his own 
fireside to the turmoil of public life, but he takes 
an interest in local and general affairs, and politi- 
cally, is a stanch Republican, as is also his son, of 
whom we write. 

Our subject was two or three years of age when 
his parents moved from the place of his birth to 
their pioneer home in Will County, III., and there 
he received a sound education, obtaining the pre- 
liminaries in the common schools, and then attend- 
ing a High School and business college. After 
leaving college he remained at home on his father's 
farm, acquiring a practical knowledge of agriculture, 
until he came to this State. He first visited Ne- 
braska in 1880, when he came here on a prospect- 
ing tour, and, being much pleased with the country, 
he determined to come here and locate permanently, 
which he did in the spring of 1883, settling on his 
father's land in Gage County. At that time the 
land was wild prairie, and our subject turned the 
first furrow ami set out the first trees, and he 
fenced one-half of the section, the land comprising 
640 acres on section 19. He put up a fine house 
on a good foundation, the dimensions of the build- 
ing being 18x26x16 feet, with an L 12x14x12 
feet. He also built a barn, stables and other nec- 
essary buildings. He then engaged in grain rais- 
ing, and continued to live on the farm for one 
year. He then came here, and formed a partner- 
ship with Mr. Andrews, and is still carrying on the 
business very successfully. 

Mr. White conducts his business in a systematic 

manner and by thoroughly In rable methods. 

and has thus built up a good ami lucrative trade, 
and at the same time has won an excellent reputa- 
tion. He is already numbered among the solid 
and influential men of the town, financially and 
socially speaking, ami. although he has been a resi- 
dent of the city only about five years, his fellow- 
citizens have from the first placed implicit con- 
fidence in him, and for the last three years the 
public finances have been entrusted to his care, 
he having been Treasurer of the Town Board for 
that length of time, and since last spring he has 
been Treasurer of the School Board. 

February 27, 1884, our subject was united in 



T 



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-•*. 



612 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



marriage to Miss Jennie Andrews, of Gage County, 
Neb., and their union has been blessed to them by 
the birth of one son, Leroy A. Mr. and Mrs. 
White are exemplary members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee. Mr. 
White is identified with the K. of P. Mrs. White 
was born Dec. 18, 1859, in Will County, 111., and is 
a daughter of George and Mary (Dann) Andrews, 
natives of England, her father having been born in 
Brigg, Lincolnshire, in 1828. He came to Amer- 
ica with his wife in 1854, and, settling on new land 
in Will County, 111., improved a fine large farm. 
He is still living, and is great]}' respected for his 
honest, blameless character. He is an active worker 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was his 
wife, who departed this life in 1878. They were 
the parents of seven children who grew to matur- 
ity. Mrs. White came to Nebraska in 1882. 






\T AMES T. STEWART, who is one of Pawnee 
Count3 7 's pioneers, is a fine representative of 
one of her important precincts, that of Plum 
Creek. He is skillful and energetic in his 
calling, displaying a good degree of enterprise and 
thrift, and his well-improved farm on section 3 is 
considered one of the best tilled and best equipped 
places in the neighborhood, and is one of which the 
owner may well be proud, as he has developed it to 
its present fine condition from the wild prairie. 

The subject of this sketch was born April 7, 
1846, near Cambridge, Guernsey Co., Ohio. His 
parents, Edie and Elenora (Spier) Stewart, were 
natives of the same county. Robert Stewart, the 
grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania. He served as a private in the War of 1812, 
and later became an early settler of Guernsey 
County, Ohio. He cleared a farm from the forest 
and engaged in farming and stock-raising for many 
years. His death occurred in Belmont County, 
Ohio, in 1872, when he was some eighty years of 
age. The paternal great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject came from the North of Ireland to this coun- 
try some time during the last century and located 
in Pennsylvania, where his remaining days were 
passed. Zethaniah Spier, the maternal grandfather 



of our subject, was of American birth, but of 
Scotch descent. He was a farmer in Guernsey 
County, Ohio, and continued there until his death 
of cancer, in 1858. Grandmother Spier lived to be 
over ninety years old. 

The father of our subject was reared on a farm 
in Guernsey Count}', and there married and made 
his home the rest of his days, owning a farm there 
and prosperously engaging in agricultural pursuits. 
While on a visit to St. Louis, in 1863, whither he 
had gone in search of a son who was in the army, 
he died of a sunstroke, at the age of forty-five. He 
was a man of marked decision of character, of un- 
swerving integrity, and of an earnest, thoughtful 
disposition. He was a valued member of the United 
Presbyterian Church, and in his political sentiments 
a rank Abolitionist. The mother of our subject, a 
woman of sterling worth, makes her home in Paw- 
nee City, and is now sixty-eight years old. Of 
their marriage twelve children were born, namely : 
Elizabeth; Rebecca and Joseph are both deceased; 
Robert, James T., John (a minister of the United 
Presbyterian Church in New York State), Mary, 
William, Mathew, Irwin, Jane and Samuel, the last 
five being dead. Joseph was a soldier in the late 
war, enlisting in 1861 in the 78th Ohio Infantry, 
attached to the Army of the West. He was taken 
sick at Pittsburg Landing, and died in the hospital 
in 1862. 

James T. Stewart, of whom we write, grew to 
manhood on the old homestead in Ohio that had 
been his birthplace. He received the usual com- 
mon-school advantages, and at the age of eighteen, 
in the spring of 1864, enlisted in the 162d Ohio 
National Guards, and was mustered into the service 
at Cambridge. His regiment was sent down to the 
Ohio River to take charge of the Government post 
at Gallipolis, and our subject did guard duty there 
until he was mustered out at Cambridge, Ohio, in 
August, 1864. During his term of service he proved 
himself to be possessed of many soldierly qualities, 
and by his faithfulness and ready obedience to the 
commands of his superior officers he readily won 
their confidence. After leaving the army Mr. Stew- 
art returned to his old home and remained with his 
mother until he was twenty-one years of age. He 
then tried farming in Monroe County, Iowa, but at 




■*•- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



013 <l 




the expiration of a year he returned to Guernsey 
County. Ohio, where he spent the following year. 
In the fall of 18G8 he determined to try life on the 
frontier, and started for Nebraska with a wagon 
and a pair of horses. He crossed the Mississippi at 
Burlington, and the Missouri at Brownville, having 
heen eight weeks on the way. lie eaine on to his 
present place and located on it in February, 1869. 
He built a sod house and broke prairie, and two 
years later set out trees in groves, comprising four 
acres of land, and an orchard of two acres, which 
is now the finest in the neighborhood and was the 
first one planted on the prairie of Plum Creek. His 
land is fenced in hedge and cross-fenced, and it is 
all under admirable tillage and yields large har- 
vests. It is watered by springs of living water. 
For the first five years the nearest market was in 
Nebraska City, a distance of several miles. He had 
to haul the lumber for his house and other build- 
ings from Brownville. He has erected a substan- 
tial and cozy dwelling, good barns, and other nec- 
essary farm buddings. Mr. Stewart makes a spe- 
cialty of raising stock, feeds all the grain that he 
raises, buys and feeds cattle and also hogs. He has 
thirteen head of fine blooded horses, one English 
draft named Charley and a Kentucky Jack. Ileuses 
two teams to operate his farm. Mr. Stewart is an 
active, wide-awake man, is quick to take advantage 
of the markets for the sale of his slock or farm 
products, and has met with fine success in his agri- 
cultural ventures since becoming a resident of 
Nebraska. 

James Stewart and Miss Mary J. Robertson, a 
native of Guernsey County, Ohio, were united in 
marriage in Cambridge in February, 1807. To 
them six children have been born, as follows: Will- 
iam F., James A., Sarah E., Maurice J., Lola and 
Daisy 15. . all of whom are at home. William is a 
student at the Pawnee City High School. Mrs. 
Stewart was born in October, 1843. William and 
Elizabeth (Otficir) Robertson are natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Her grandfather Robertson was a native 
of Ireland. After migrating to thi- country be set- 
tled first in Pennsylvania, and then removed to 
Guernsey County. Ohio, where he engaged in farm- 
ing until his death. Mrs. Stewart's maternal grand- 
father was born in Scotland, and on coming to 



America he settled in Pennsylvania. From there 
he removed to Guernsey County, Ohio, and there 
he was engaged as a farmer, and there he died. 
Mrs. Stewart's parents grew up in Ohio, and were 
married there. The mother died there in 1805 at 
the age of forty-five years. The father bought a 
tract of unimproved land, developed it into a fine 
farm, and made his home thereon until his death in 
1888, at nearly seventy years of age. Both he and 
his wife were stanch members of the United Pres- 
byterian Church. They were the parents of twelve 
children, as follows: Nancy M. and Sarah M., de- 
ceased; Mary J.; Elizabeth O., living in Illinois; 
Sarah F., Lincoln, John, Josephine and Martha, who 
are dead; William, Catherine and Saruantha. 

Mr. Stewart occupies an honorable position in 
this community as a trustworthy and highly es- 
teemed citizen. He takes an active interest in pub- 
lic affairs and does all that he can to promote the 
welfare of the precinct. This is especially true of 
educational matters, in which he has been very in- 
fluential. He is School Director, was a prominent 
factor in organizing the precinct, assisted in build- 
ing the school-house, and himself taught the third 
term in this district. He has held the office of Jus- 
tice of the Peace for four years, discharging the du- 
ties appertaining thereto with characteristic fidel- 
ity and despatch. He was instrumental in building 
the United Presbyterian Church at Burchard, and 
with his wife is one of the most active members of 
that religious denomination at the present time, and 
they also take a deep interest in the Sunday-school. 
Mr. Stewart has served on the Grand and the Petit 
Jury, and in his political sentiments he is an un- 
qualified Republican, fully believing in the policy 
of that party. 



^j-* 



Zt£*X&&*~ 



<ffl IjfclLLIAM AIKINS, an aged and highly re- 
\pJii s l )et ' te< l resident of Pawnee City, spent the 
Wy active years of his life as a mechanic, and 
has now arrived at the advanced age of eighty- four 
years, having been born June 11, 1805. His na- 
tive place was Belmont County, Ohio, and his par- 
ants were Robert and Mary Aikins, the former a 
native of Ireland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. 



^r 



•►4-«- 



614 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



They were the parents of ten children, five sons and 
five daughters, all of whom lived to mature years, 
but only two of whom now survive. One sister 
died in September, 1888, when nearly ninety-six 
years old. The father was a tailor by trade, fol- 
lowing that occupation many years. 

Our subject was reared at the parental homestead 
in Belmont County, Ohio, and received a limited 
education in the subscription schools. Upon reach- 
ing his majority he began work as a carpenter, 
which trade he followed in his native county about 
five years, then removed to Henry County, 111. In 
the latter he followed carpentering and farming com- 
bined, finally becoming the owner of a farm in that 
county. In the fall of 1 860 he came to this county, 
settling on a farm two miles west of Pawnee City, 
which was then in its embryo state, and Nebraska 
still a Territory. He farmed upon this land a 
period of four years, and in the meantime became 
quite prominent in local affairs, officiating as Jus- 
tice of the Peace, and later being elected Probate 
Judge of Pawnee County. 

Mr. Aikins, upon having this honor conferred 
upon him, took up his abode in Pawnee City in 
order to assume the duties of his office, of which he 
was the incumbent two years, resigning before the 
expiration of his term. He then returned to Illi- 
nois upon a visit, but soon came back to Pawnee 
City, of which he has since been a resident. He had 
been married in his native State, Dec. 16, 1828, to 
Miss Ann Pennell,of Morgan County, Ohio. This 
lady was born in Chester County, Pa., within fif- 
teen miles of the city of Philadelphia, Nov. 26, 
1810, being the eldest daughter of Lewis and Sarah 
F. (Fisher) Pennell. 

Eleven children, three sons and eight daughters, 
came to the household of Mr. and Mrs. Aikens,ten 
of whom lived to become men and women grown. 
They were named respectively: Mary J., Caroline 
M.. Henry L., Esther A., William J., Elizabeth. 
Ruby, Nancy T., John A. and Lydia. Sarah Fran- 
ces died in infancy. The bride of over sixty 
years ago is still spared to her husband, and both 
are hale and hearty, having their faculties pre- 
served in a remarkable degree. Mr. Aikins upon 
reaching his majority identified himself with the 
old Whig party, and voted for Gen. William II. 




Harrison in 1840. Upon the disbandment of the 
old party he cordially indorsed Republican princi- 
ples, and voted for the grandson of the old General 
during the election of 1888 with much of the 
enthusiasm that distinguished the casting of his 
first Presidential ballot. Mr. Aikins has been a 
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church for a period of sixty-four years, and his 
wife for fifty-six years. They are a remarkably 
interesting old couple, and number their friends by 
the score among the people who have known them 
so long and so well. 

AVID K. MILLER, cashier and director 
of the State Bank of Table Rock, treas- 
urer and director of the Creamer}' Associ- 
tion, and owner of one of the largest and 
richest farms in Pawnee County, is one of the most 
widely and favorably known of the citizens of this 
section of Nebraska. He was born of Scotch par- 
entage on the Island of Jamaica, in the West Indies, 
Dec. 16, 1848. His father, George Miller, was 
born in Forfarshire, Scotland. He was educated 
in his native land at the University of St. Andrew, 
receiving to quite an extent a theological educa- 
tion, although before being graduated from that de- 
partment of the university he was sent by the Board 
of Missions connected with the Scotch Presbyterian 
Church to the West Indies, and the ensuing thirty- 
three years he was Principal of the schools in Ja- 
maica which were controlled by the Presbytery. 
Mr. Miller subsequently returned to Scotland, and 
bought a farm in Renfrewshire, on which he lived 
until his death. He married Miss Mary Wishart, 
also a native of Forfarshire, Scotland, and of their 
union two children were born, our subject and 
George W., the latter of whom is now living in 
Pawnee County, two miles northwest of Pawnee 
City. Mrs. Miller survived her husband, and 
coming to Nebraska spent her last years in this ' 
county, and is now lying peacefully at rest in the 
cemetery in Pawnee City. 

David Miller, of this sketch, remained in Jamaica 
until ten years of age, when he was sent by his par- 
ents to Edinburgh, Scotland, to pursue the course of 




615 



J 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



studies in the High School of that city. At the 
expiration of five years he was graduated from that 
institution with a good record for scholarship. 
He subsequently served an apprenticeship of five 

years in a large life insurance company, and after 
that continued in the employment of the company 
some years. In 1873 our subject entered the large 
importing house of George Campbell & Co., of 
Liverpool, England, with whom he was engaged 
for some time, being a part of the time located in 
their branch house at Glasgow. Mr. Miller was an 
ambitious, enterprising 3'oung man, with a keen 
desire to find the best the world held for him, and 
accordingly, after mature deliberation, (•(included 
to come to the United States and establish himself 
in one of the young and rapidly growing States of 
the recently settled western section of the country. 
He selected Nebraska as the objective point of his 
destination, and coming here in 187G purchased a 
farm near Pawnee City, where he lived for five 
years, successfully engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, his cattle having been nearly full-blooded 
Short-horns. That farm not being sufficiently 
large for his purposes our subject disposed of it, in 
1881, and bought his present estate, which consists 
of 640 acres in one body, lying on sections 11. 
12, 1 and 2, of Pawnee Precinct. The land was in 
its normal condition at the time of purchase, but 
Mr. Miller has devoted his time and money to its 
improvement, having it now under a line state of 
cultivation, and has erected a line house, good corn 
cribs, a substantial barn, and fenced the farm with 
hedge, board and wire fence. One lot of sixty 
acres, surrounded by a board fence, is used exclu- 
sively as a hog pasture, he keeping 100 or more 
hogs in it. He also keeps about 150 head of stock. 
chiefly Short-horns, breeding and raising his own 
cattle, and also breeding his own horses, his favorite 
stock being Clydesdale. Mr. Miller lived on his 
farm about four years, then moved to the village 
of Table Rock, where he now resides. He is a busi- 
ness man of marked talent and sagacity, and besides 
being cashier of the Table Rock Bank owns one-fifth 
interest in it. It was first established by Messrs. 
Forbes and Jones in 1882, and sold by them Nov. 
2, 1885, to the present owners, John R. Clark, of 
Lincoln, Neb.; David Ueniick, of Los Angeles, Cal.j 



J. N. Eckman and John ('. David, of Pawnee City; 
and our subject. At the time of purchase the lat- 
ter was made cashier, and has served acceptably to 
all. This bank is one of four associate banks in 
the county, all controlled by the same men, Mr. 
Miller being one of the directors of each, the other 
three banks being the First National Bank, of 
Pawnee City; the Burchard state Bank, at Burchard, 
and the State Bank at DuBois. All are paving 
institutions, and receive a good share of patronage. 
Oar subject is treasurer of the Table Rock Cream- 
ery, which is the only one in the county, and is 
doing a large and prosperous business. 

Although Mr. "Miller is interested in the welfare 
of the precinct, and is ever ready and willing to 
advance its interests, he has steadily refused all 
local offices except that of School Director. In 
politics-he is independent, lie is one of the lead- 
ing members of the Presbyterian Church, of which 
he is treasurer, and is also secretary of the Sunday- 
school connected with it. He is a man of strong 
intellectual force, keen perceptive faculties, excel- 
lent business tact, and above all one of unswerving 
integrity, high moral rectitude, and is always 
spoken of in terms of the highest commendation by 
his fellow-citizens. 

The marriage of our subject with Mi>s Jenny I. 
Taylor was solemnized in October, 1878. she was 
born in Pennsylvania, and lived in that state until 
three years of age, when she came with her parents 
to this State. Her father. Robert Taylor, was one 
of the early pioneers of Pawnee County. (P"or 
further parental history sec his sketch on another 
page of this volume.) Three bright and interest- 
ing children have blessed the wedded life of our 
subject and his wife, namely: Mabel M., Robert T. 
and Gordon 1). 



-*>-»- 



^>£&&<^ 



,-^pSJIOMAS MENEHAN, an active, alert and 
TKjgSx well-to-do farmer of West Branch Precinct. 
v^g*y owns and operates a large and productive 
farm of 320 acres in one body, one-half lying on 
sections 32 and 33 of Pawnee County, Neb., and 
the other half in Marshall County, Kan. He is a 
native of Ireland, born in County Mayo, Sept. :i, 



r 



4 



616 



PAAVNEE COUNTY. 




1850. His father, Michael Menehan, was born and 
spent his entire life in County Mayo, dying there 
in 1830. He was a farmer by occupation, and 
after arriving at man's estate married Miss Bridget 
Sally, who was a native of the same county as him- 
self. She survived her husband, and coming to 
America died in Nebraska in 1875, at the vener- 
able age of seventy-five j-ears. She was a worthy 
woman, and a member of the Catholic Church. To 
her and her husband were born seven children, 
namely: John, William, Michael, James (deceased), 
Margaret, Thomas and Patrick. 

Our subject was reared on the home farm, and 
received a limited education in a pay school, re- 
maining at home until he attained his majority. 
Hoping to better his condition, he induced his 
mother, sister, and one of his brothers to accom- 
pany him to America. Setting sail from Liver- 
pool in the vessel " Mary Ann Chancellor," they 
landed at New York City June 18, 1863. Our 
subject had but little money, but he had a good 
stock of courage and perseverance, and proceeding 
to Pennsylvania, procured work in the coal mines 
of Schuylkill County, where he remained a little 
more than a year, then started for this State. Trav- 
eling by rail to St. Joseph, Mo., he there took a 
steamer for Leavenworth, and then came from there 
by wagon to Pawnee County. Mr. Menehan did 
not make a long stop here at that time, but return- 
ing to Leavenworth was there engaged in quar- 
rying for a year. He afterward secured employ- 
ment as a teamster in freighting across the plains 
between Leavenworth and Ft. Dodge, making five 
trips during the next two summer seasons, and hav- 
ing one or two narrow escapes from the Indians on 
the way. Being prudent, as well as industrious, 
our subject had by that time accumulated a little 
mone}', and wishing to invest it in land came again 
to this county, in 1866, and took up a homestead 
claim of eighty acres of land on section 32, which 
is included in his present farm. He was one of 
the earliest settlers of the precinct, and to men 
of his enterprise, activity and good judgment is 
West Branch Precinct indebted for its present pros- 
perity. Air. Menehan labored arduously to im- 
prove his farm, setting out groves of forest trees, 
an orchard of 200 fruit trees, hedged and fenced his 



land, and subsequently put up a good set of farm 
buildings, and an ample and complete dwelling, 
hauling the lumber from Seneca. On his farm our 
subject raises crops from which lie secures a good 
income, and he has been enabled to buy more land 
from time to time, and to increase the number of 
his cattle. He makes a specialty of buying and 
feeding stock, and also raises a large number of 
hogs, and has on his place eight horses of good 
grade. 

Mr. Menehan was married in St. Joseph, Mo., in 
1870, to Miss Mary Smith. She was born in Madi- 
son, Ind., and has borne her husband two children, 
Michael II. and William. In politics Mr. Menehan 
is a stanch Democrat, and both he and his estimable 
wife are prominent members of the Catholic Church 
near their home, which they helped to build, and to 
the support of which the}' generously contribute. 
In politics Mr. M. acts with the Democratic party. 



ON. EUGENE M. BERRY, the present repre- 
sentative of his district in the Twenty-first 
Nebraska State Legislature, holds a leading 
position among the extensive agriculturists 
of Pawnee Count}', who have been so largely instru- 
mental in its upbuilding. Although not one of the 
earliest settlers of this county, as he did not come 
here until 1877, he may justly lay claim to the title 
of pioneer, as since that time he has by energy and 
patient persistence, combined with skillful manage- 
ment, developed a large and finely improved farm 
from the wild prairie. It comprises 480 acres of land 
of unsurpassed productiveness, located on section 23, 
Mission Creek Precinct, and was one of the first to 
be opened up on this part of the prairie. It has an 
ample supply of water from Mission Creek, is partly 
fenced in hedge and wire, and an attractive dwell- 
ing, neat barns and other substantial buildings 
adorn the place. Mr. Berry raises large crops of 
corn, besides devoting much time to raising stock, 
having twelve or fourteen fine horses, using three 
teams to operate the farm, and having cattle and 
hogs of the best graded breeds. Besides this farm 
Mr. Berry owns 180 more acres of valuable land. 
•► 



»► ■ « * 



14 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



4 



Mr. Berry comes of a somewhat notable ancestry 
on both the paternal and maternal side, and among 
his progenitors, who seem to have been stalwart 
men of more than average vigor and capacity, 
were some of the early settlers of Virginia, and 
the town of Berrysville, in that State,~received its 
name in honor of one of them who was its founder. 
They were also conspicuous in the early settlement 
of other States in a later day and generation, being 
pioneers of Maryland, Tennessee, Ohio, and still 
later even of Wisconsin. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, Joseph 
Berry, was born in Berrysville, Va., and was of Irish 
descent. He served as a scout all through the 
Revolution. After the Revolution he crossed the 
mountains to Tennessee, and became an early set- 
tler of that State, but was killed by the Indians. 
His son Joseph was born and reared in Tennessee, 
and subsequently went to Virginia, whence his par- 
ents had removed, and he was there married, and 
settling in Knox Count}', Ohio, helped to build the 
first house in Mt. Vernon. lie cleared up a farm 
from the forest and went from his pioneer home to 
take part in the War of 1812. After that, the pio- 
neer spirit that had animated his forefathers being 
strong within him, he made his way in 1835 to An- 
drew County, Mo., and was one of the early settlers 
of that locality. He actively engaged in farming 
in his adopted State until his death in 185-1, at the 
age of sixty-five years. He was a firm supporter 
of the policy of the Whig party, and was a man of 
decisive character. 

The maternal great grandfather of our subject, 
Moses Andrews, who was a native of England, emi- 
grated to this country prior to the Revolution, and 
took up Government land on the present site of 
Baltimore. He was an oflicer in the War of 1812, 
and subsequently moved to Pennsylvania, where he 
spent the remainder of his life. His wife was born 
in Wales. Their son Thomas, the grandfather of 
our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and as he 
grew to manhood learned the blacksmith trade, and 
during some period of his life moved to Ohio and 
became a pioneer of Wayne County. Settling near 
the town of Wooster he engaged in his trade there 
until his removal to Wisconsin in 1833, where he 
again became a pioneer. He was one of the early 



settlers of LaFayette County, and established a 
smithy near the town of Argyle, and also engaged 
in farming. Later in life he moved to Neosha 
Rapids, and engaged in blacksmi thing there, and 
there he rounded out an honorable life of seventy- 
five years in 18G5. He accumulated considerable 
wealth, and was a man of prominence in public 
affairs,_aud was known by the title of Squire. 

The parents of our subject, the Rev. Dr. John A. 
and Elenora (Andrews) Berry, were born respect- 
ively m 1822, in Knox County, Ohio, and in 1823, 
in Wayne County, Ohio. The father received a lib- 
eral education, studying at Kenyon College, and 
then attending the Medical College at Middlcboro, 
Ohio. He was graduated from that institution after 
pursuing a full course that well fitted him for his 
profession, and he then began to practice medicine 
in Danville, Knox Co., Ohio, and for thirteen years 
was the leading physician of that locality. At the 
expiration of that time he felt called to the minis- 
try, and identifying himself with the Northern Ohio 
Methodist Episcopal Conference, he had charges in 
the various county seats of Ohio. He was finally 
appointed agent for the Ohio Female College. His 
useful and active life was brought to a close in 
1863, in Granville, Ohio, while yet in its very 
prime, he being then but forty-one years of age, he 
having overworked. He was a self-made man in 
the best sense of the word, and whatever he at- 
tempted he carried through with characteristic zeal. 
Mis ministry was a signal success. He was a man 
of fine powers of mind, and of a lofty, pure spirit, 
and in him every righteous cause found a champion. 
He was a man of intense patriotism, and on the 
breaking out of the late war wished to enlist in his 
country's defense, but was refused permission, pre- 
sumably on account of his health. He was an anti- 
slavery man and vigorously supported the Repub- 
lican party. The mother of our subject was the 
worthy wife of such a husband. She is now living 
in Decatur, Ohio. Seven children were born of 
her marriage, as follows: Clementine, Rosalea, Fan- 
nie, John A., Eugene, Cora and Edward. 

Eugene Berry was born in Danville, Knox Co., 

Ohio, Jan. 21, 1852. He was reared in town, and 

had good school advantages. His father died when 

he was eleven years old, and when he was fourteen 

•». 




f 



•M^ 



618 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



*t 



years of age, being a manly, self-reliant lad, he be- 
gan to be self-supporting. He worked at different 
trades for some time, and when he was eighteen 
years old learned the plasterer's trade. After that 
he turned his attention to farming, and renting land 
was thus engaged in his native State until he was 
twenty-three years of age. He was very ambitious 
to secure a good education, and at that time en- 
tered Wittenberg College, in Ohio, and for two- 
years assiduously pursued a general scientific course 
under efficient instructors, greatly to his benefit, 
and since leaving college he has supplemented his 
studies by reading and observation. In 1877, then 
in the prime of early manhood, well equipped 
mentally and physically, our subject came to Ne- 
braska to assist the men of brain and enterprise 
who were pushing the fortunes of this young and 
vigorous State. He located on his present place, 
which then comprised but 1 80 acres of land, and 
we have seen how he has since added to it and de- 
veloped it into a fine farm. 

Since locating here Mr. Berry has taken an active 
part in public affairs, and has gained a high repu- 
tation as a sagacious counselor and safe leader. 
He is an ardent advocate of the Republican policy, 
and in the fall of 1888 he was elected on the Re- 
publican ticket to represent this district in the State 
Legislature for the next two years, having a plural- 
ity of 635. He possesses many admirable traits for 
a legislator, being a conscientious worker, well in- 
formed as to the needs of his adopted State, and 
one in whose integrity and honor his fellow-citizens 
have perfect confidence, and it is safe to predict 
that his career as a statesman will redound to bis 
credit. He has been an incumbent of local offices 
of responsibility, and has been a delegate to State 
Conventions of his part}'. He and his wife figure 
prominently in social circles in Pawnee County, and 
lie belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Pawnee 
City. 

The marriage of our subject to Miss Carrie Jones 
took place Oct. 19, 1881, in Ross County, Ohio. 
She was a native of that place, and had before mar- 
riage been a school teacher. The pleasant house- 
hold of our subject and his wife is completed by the 
presence of the three children born to them, namely: 
Althea. Elenora and Joanna. Mrs. Berry is a val- 



ued and consistent member of the Baptist Church. 
She was a teacher before her marriage, is finely 
educated, is an artist of marked talent, and her and 
her husband's charming home is adorned by many 
choice paintings of her own execution. 



wVfc. **4JLQ£f®$&* 



@?-3/OT7i»>-\/w. 



fj OSEPH HAYS. It has been the privilege of 
him to whom we now call attention to 
watch for a period of over twenty years the 
growth and development of this county, 
lie first migrated to this region in 1866, during the 
Territorial days of Nebraska, and although natur- 
ally a courageous man, the outlook was so forbid- 
ding he retraced his steps to the confines of 
civilization. He noted, however, that there were 
undoubtedly vast natural resources waiting for 
development, and so in the fall of 1867 repeated 
his experimental visit, this time to stay. He 
bought nearly an entire section of land, only forty 
acres of which had been disturbed by the plowshare, 
and proceeded after the manner of the early pio- 
neer to battle with life on the frontier. He has, 
perhaps, had more than most men to contend with; 
he has met with loss and affliction, but these have 
developed a character of more than ordinary excel- 
lence. There is no surer indication of a man's 
moral worth than the estimation in which he is 
held by his neighbors, and in whatever respect 
otherwise Mr. Hays may have failed in realizing 
his ambitions in this he certainly has reasons to re- 
joice and be glad. 

Before proceeding further it will perhaps be well 
to take a backward glance at the childhood and 
youth of our subject. He was born in Pope 
County, 111., March 4, 1810, and lived there with 
his parents two years, when they removed to Mor- 
gan County, that State, and sojourned in the latter 
a period of forty-five 3^ears, settling there when the 
now flourishing town of Jacksonville had not even 
a name. Young Hays passed his boyhood after the 
manner of most farmers' sons, receiving a limited 
education in the common schools and employing 
himself at farming pursuits mostly, although for 
two years upon approaching manhood he was en- 
gaged in mercantile business at Yatesville. 
»> 






PAWNEE COUNTY. 



.fc ■ » -*- 



6 1 9 



Farming', however, proved more congenial to the 
tastes of Mr. Hays than merchandising, and he soon 
returned to his legitimate business, lie had been 
carefully trained under the home roof, and grew up 
in be a worthy member of the community, receiv- 
ing that recognition among his fellow-citizens 
which resulted in his being elected to the office of 
Justice of the Peace, which he held seven years, 
and to other positions of trust and responsibility. 
When about twenty-three years of age lie took unto 
himself a wife and helpmate, being married at the 
home of the bride, Nov. 11, 1842, to Miss Mary T. 
Howeii, a native of Morgan County. 111. The young 
people began the journey of life together upon a 
farm in Morgan County, and lived in Illinois until 
crossing the two great rivers and settling in the 
farther West. 

Upon the purchase of Mr. Hays in Table Rock 
Precinct, when first coming here there stood a 
small frame house. He had a large family of chil- 
dren, and hence arose the necessity of providing 
more commodious quarters as soon as possible. The 
summer following he put up the large frame dwell- 
ing which he still owns and occupies, and which is 
still in a good state of preservation. He fenced 
10(1 acres with smooth wire, put out. two miles of 
hedge, and began planting cottonwood trees, which 
are now three feet in diameter. He also set out an 
orchard of apple trees which are now nineteen years 
old, and has abundance of the smaller fruits, which 
provide in their season many luxuries for the 
household. In due time lie began raising grain ex- 
tensively, anil finally drifted into the breeding of 
live stock, keeping large numbers of cattle, horses 
and swine, and at one time had a flock of 400 sheep 
which yielded him a good income. 

Mr. Hays and his family from the first enjoj'ed 
excellent health, and only one of the fifteen in his 
family ever had the ague. Mr. Hays assisted in 
building the first bridge over Long Branch on the 
Brownville road, ami also in laying out the roads 
through Table Hock Precinct, there being one high- 
way at the time of his coming here. The precinct 
then comprised two school districts, one of the 
school-houses being near the present site of Table 
Rock. Mr. Hays sent li is seven children into 
Richardson County to school one winter, the near- 



est point elsewhere being live miles away. lie 
assisted in I lie organization of School District No. 
52, being the prime mover, going personally to 
every voter. He was appointed County Superin- 
tendent of Schools, anil was one of the most active 
men within its limits to introduce facilities for the 
education of the young. 

It naturally followed that Mr. Hays was also 
elected Moderator of his school district, and he has 
since held that office. A small frame building was 
put up at a cost of $400, and a teacher was emplo\ ed 
whose salary was insured by the issuing of bonds. 
Came was then plentiful in this region, also In- 
dians. The settlers were obliged to take their prod- 
uce to market at Brownville, thirty miles away. 
the trip occupying two days' time, and then receiv- 
ing only thirty cents per bushel for their hard- 
earned wheat. 

Mr. Hays witnessed the erection of the first 
house at Humboldt. Upon visiting Pawnee City 
on the 3d of June, 1 JSG7, he found the court-house 
in process of erection, just three feet above the 
ground, but there was a place provided at which 
to pay taxes. There was also a post-office and one 
or two stores. Court was held first in the house of 
the Postmaster. J. L. Kdwards. In the building of 
his own house Mr. Hays did much of the work 
himself. It was quite an imposing structure for 
those times, covering an area of 32x24 feet, with a 
12-foot addition, and was at the lime the largest 
house in this part of tin' county. Included among 
its inmates were eight daughters and two stalwart 
sons. Each year witnessed some improvement in 
the property, and the Hays homestead in due time 
was familiar to people all over the county as the 
home of one of its best citizens. 

The precinct voted railroad bonds to the 
amount of $20,000, but on account of irregularity 
they sought a release, which the railroad agreed in 
in case the county would vote a lax. Mr. Hays 
was made Chairman of the committee appointed to 
fight the perpetuation of the bonds, winch were 
drawing ten per cent, interest, and was so success- 
ful in his efforts that he saved for the precinct the 
sum of $30,000, a result for which the people ever 
hold him in grateful remembrance. 

Mr. II was also frequently summoned as a jury- 



T 



f 



J, 






620 



PAWNER COUNTY. 



man, and was often sent as a delegate to the 
various County Conventions. He has cast his bal- 
lot in Table Rock Precinct when there were only 
three Democratic votes within its limits. The De- 
mocracy is now sixty strong. 

Mrs. Mary (Bowen) Hays was born in Morgan 
County. III.. March 12, 182;"). and is the daugh- 
ter of Andrew Bowen, a native of Kentucky, who 
spent his last years in Morgan County. He emi- 
grated to Illinois when a young man. and married 
Miss Penninah Hardin. They became the parents 
of four children. Mr. Bowen died when his daugh- 
ter Mary was a young child. He was a farmer and 
mechanic combined, a peaceable and law-abiding 
citizen, who provided comfortably for his family, 
and was a good neighbor. The wife and mother 
departed this life in Jasper County, Iowa, in 1883, 
at the age of seventy-four. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Hays there came a family of 
nine children, one of whom died when twenty- 
two years old. and eight are still living. These 
were named respectively: Sarah Ellen, Penninah 
Jane. Mary Elizabeth, Amanda Melvina; Frances 
Josephine, deceased; Isabelle Ann, Olive Henrietta, 
Rosetta Melissa and Hardin W. They also reared 
a little girl, Minnie May, who was taken into their 
family when three weeks old. The eldest daugh- 
ter. Sarah E., is the wife of John F. Smith, of 
Montana, and they have four children; Penninah 
is the widow of Michael Stockton, and is also the 
mother of four children; Mary, Mrs. Benjamin 
Sage, lives in Morgan County, 111.; Amanda mar- 
ried John I. Latham, of Harper County, Kan., and 
they have three sons and two daughters; Isabelle 
Ann is the wife of James Sage, of Jasper County, 
Iowa, and they have four children; Olive is the 
wife of Mr. A. McClintoek. of Table Rock Precinct: 
they have three children; Rosetta is the only child 
a 1 ; home. They were all given a good practical 
education, and without exception possess fine mu- 
sical talents. 

William Hays, the father of our subject, was 
born on the Yadkin River, in North Carolina, in 
1793. Thence he migrated first to Kentucky, and 
then to Illinois, settling on a farm in Morgan 
County, and employed himself considerably as a 
mechanic. He married Miss Webb, a native of Ken- 



tucky, and they became the parents of seven chil- 
dren, all of whom lived to mature years. The elder 
Hays took up land in Morgan County. 111., where 
he improved a good farm, and where his death took 
place in IS 1 ]. He was oneof the earliest pioneers 
of that section, a good ami worthy man, respected 
by all who knew him. The wife and mother sur- 
vived her husband until about 1860. Both were 
devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, with which Father Hays was identified for 
a period of forty years, and the mother probably 
about that length of time. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
Joseph Hays. Sr.. who settled in Kentucky-, and 
later served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
in which he sacrificed his life to his country. His 
widow was subsequently married, but kept her son 
William with her until he started out in life for 
himself. Moses Webb, the maternal grandfather 
of our subject, was a drummer boy in the Revo- 
lutionary War four years, under the immediate 
command of Gen. Washington. He served two years 
in a cavalry regiment. He spent the last two years 
of his life with his son-in-law William, and enjoyed 
a pension from the Government. He lived to be 
seventy -two years old, surviving his wife, who had 
passed away several years before. 

Mr. Hays, during the earlier days of Illinois, 
and during his boyhood, went on foot from his 
home in Morgan County to Alton, that State, 
driving a herd of swine, which he sold at $1.50 per 
100, net weight. 



<ip^)PHRAIM KINGSBURY. After a series of 
Us) years spent as an industrious tiller of the 
IjL^i soil we find this gentleman sitting independ- 
ently under his own vine and fig tree, otherwise a 
pleasant and comfortable home in Pawnee City, 
where he is actively engaged in business as a cattle 
dealer. He traveled a long distance from his native 
place in seeking a permanent home, having first 
opened his eyes to the light among the rugged New 
England hills, near Brattleboro, in Windham County, 
Yt., May 29, 1817. The Kingsburys of New En- 
gland w r ere widely and favorably known among the 



4 



he , p 



-*- 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



021 



people of the Green Mountain State. The Chris- 
tian name of the father of onr subject was John, 
and he was born in Connecticut in 1775. Upon 
reaching man's estate he married Miss LovicaHall, 

also a native of Connecticut, and the daughter of 
John Hall, of English ancestry. The mother of our 
subject was born in 1780, and both parents lived to 
an advanced aye, the father passing away when 
seventy-five, and the mother after numbering her 
fourscore years. 

Twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, 
gathered around the hearthstone of John and 
Lovica Kingsbury, and of this large family ten 
lived to mature years, and four still survive, 
Ephraim was the seventh in order of birth, and 
spent his youthful years in his native county, at- 
tending the district school and making his home on 
the farm with his parents until reaching his major- 
ity. He then started out for himself, and when ap- 
proaching the twenty-fourth year of his age was 
married to Miss Rosina S. Thayer. This lady was 
likewise born in Vermont, and was the daughter of 
Col. Ezra and Thirza (Sheldon) Thayer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury soon after their mar- 
riage emigrated from New England to Wisconsin, 
settling on a farm in that State in 1852. They 
lived in the Badger State a period of sixteen years, 
then crossing the Mississippi came to this county, 
and settled on a tract of land two miles west of the 
present site of Pawnee City, but within the limits. 
In Wisconsin Mr. Kingsbury was engaged mostly 
in the lumber business, but after coming to Ne- 
braska turned his attention to stock raising, buying, 
shipping and feeding until 1885. Then, on account 
of failing health, he wisely retired from active 
labor, turning his stock-raising interests over to his 
son. He was the owner of 320 acres of finely im- 
proved land, and a whole section in the vicinity of 
Burchard, which he has since sold. 

There are living but four of the eight children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury. Ellen M. is the 
wife of O. E. Hall, a farmer; Orvel V. is at Sterling, 
this State; Marian L. is the wife of W. II. Towne, 
Of Wisconsin; limner A. is married and lives with 
our subject. The four children deceased passed 
away at a tender age. The paternal grandfather of 
our subject was John Kingsbury, a native of Con- 



V 



necticut, and the son of an English gentleman who 
emigrated to America at an early period in the his- 
tory of this country. Mrs. Kingsbury was the eld- 
est daughter of her parents, whose family com- 
prised eight children. 

fa OIIN T. CONDON. Mission Creek Precinct 
probably contains no finer estate than that 
represented by the subject of this biography. 

He has 320 acres of prime land, largely de- 
voted to sheep-raising, and which is pleasantly lo- 
cated on section 13. With its buildings and appur- 
tenances it forms the ideal country homestead, ami 
indicates at the first glance the supervision of a 
man of more than ordinar}- enterprise and capabili- 
ties. 

Baltimore, Md., was the native place of our sub- 
ject, and where his birth occurred Oct. 16, 1842. 
When he was a child of six years his parents re- 
moved to Ohio, where he grew up amid good influ- 
ences, and when of suitable years and attainments 
entered the High School at Fredericktown. lie 
pursued his studies there until a youth of eighteen 
years, and then the outbreak of the Civil War fur- 
nished him unlooked-for employment. In 1861 he 
enlisted as a Union soldier in Company A. 20th 
Ohio Infantry, and was mustered into service a' 
Mt. Vernon. His regiment was assigned to the 3d 
Division. 17lh Corps. Army of the Tennessee. He 
had enlisted under the first call for troops, and re- 
mained with his regiment until the close of the 
war. participating in manj- of the important bat- 
tles, in the meantime having re-enlisted for the 
three-years service, after the expiration of his first 
term. At the battle of Shiloh he was shot in the 
leg and confined in the hospital for three weeks. 
Later, at Champion Hills, he received a second but 
slighter wound, from which he was laid up for two 
weeks only. He was under the immediate command 
of Gen. Grant most of the time, was present at the 
siege of Vicksburg and Atlanta, joined the Red 
River expedition, and later was with Sherman's 
army, participating in the siege of Atlanta. lie 
was taken prisoner and started to Anderson ville by 
rail. During the night he jumped from the train. 



1 i r 



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<- 



=4 



A 622 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



and making Ins way back to Atlanta, skulked around 
from point to point, finally rejoining his regiment 
and participating in Sherman's march to the sea. 
Later he went up through the Carolina* to Wash- 
ington, participated in the grand review, and was 
mustered out at Louisville. Ky. 

Returning now to Ohio, our subject entered the 
veterinary department of Dr. Denton's School, 
from which he was graduated, and established him- 
self at Mt. Vernon, where lie built up a good prac- 
tice and continued until 1880. He was at the same 
time also interested in farming and the breeding of 
fine horses. He became the owner of several full- 
blooded draft animals, and also owned Old Abdal- 
lah, the famous trotter. I'pon coming to Nebraska 
in 1880, he at once established himself in Mission 
Creek Precinct, in charge of the Bookwalter ranch. 
where he remained until 1885. He then beuan 
business on his own account, and turned his atten- 
tion especially to the breeding of horses, sheep and 
swine. He lias of the first-mentioned about twelve 
head of high-grade Cycles, and about 500 head of 
sheep. 

The 1st of March, 1866, witnessed the marriage 
of our subject to Miss Rosalea Benjamin, the wed- 
ding taking place at Fredericktown. Ohio. A sketch 
of the father of this lady will be found elsewhere 
in this Aluum. She was born in Ohio, and received 
a good education, being graduated from the Female 
Seminary at Delaware, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Con- 
don are the parents of one child, a son, Frederick. 
Our subject, politically, is a strong Republican. 
Socially, he belongs to the G. A. R., at Pawnee 
City, also to the Masonic fraternity, in which he 
has been Grand Master. 

The paternal grandfather, who was named John 
Condon, was a native of Ireland, and came to 
America in company with Lord Baltimore, becom- 
ing interested in the fishery business, and died in 
the city of that name. On the mother's side, 
Grandfather Israel Miller was of Euglish descent, 
but American born. He was a cabinet-maker by 
trade. John H.. the father of our subject, was a 
native of Baltimore, Md.. where he learned the 
trade of shoemaker, which he followed during his 
early manhood. His wife, Naomi Miller, was also 
a native of that city. He was a very intelligent 



and well-educated man. acquiring his learning 
largely through his own efforts. He was originally 
a slave-holder, but having no love for the peculiar 
institution freed his slaves. He was prominent in 
his community, serving as Justice of the Peace, 
and occupying other positions of trust. He went 
into business at Baltimore as a shoe-dealer, but 
finally moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he en- 
gaged in trade until 1850, then turned his attention 
to agricultural pursuits. He settled on a tract of 
land in the wilderness, from which he cleared the 
forest, built up a good homestead, and there spent 
his last days amid comfort and plenty, departing 
hence in October, 1884, at the advanced age of 
eighty-six years. He was a devout Methodist relig- 
iously, and a man highly respected by all wdio knew 
him. He and his wife had sojourned together for 
a period of over fifty years, and in death were not 
fang divided, the mother dying the same week as 
her husband, at the age of eighty -seven. 

To the parents of our subject there was born a 
family of ten children, namely: Eliza. George W., 
Jesse, Mary A.. David. Clorinda. Rachel. William, 
Matilda, and John T., our subject. The latter was 
the youngest of the family. His brothers David 
and William enlisted in Company B, 4th Ohio In- 
fantry, soon after the outbreak of the Rebellion, and 
served three years. "William received a slight 
wound, but otherwise returned home in safety. Jesse 
enlisted in Company II, 43d Ohio Infantry, during 
the first year of the war, served twelve months, and 
was then obliged to accept an honorable discharge 
for disability. 



NDREW E. LANE is one of the early set- 
tlers of Table Rock Precinct, where he 
owns a farm of 160 acres, half on section 
31 and half on section 32, his home being 
on the latter, adjoining the corporate limits of 
Table Rock Village. His father, Caleb II. Lane, 
first settled on this place Oct. 8, 1860, the only 
improvement on it at that time having been the 
breaking of ten acres. Every tree upon the farm 
was set out by Mr. Lane's own hands, and the pres- 




f 



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■»HB~4*- 



-*Hh-* 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



623 



cut tine condition of the farm is flue to his own 
efforts and those of our subject. His home the first 
winter was in what might be called a hut, but in 
the following spring he put up a small house for 
himself, 10x14 feet in size, and having but one 
room seven feet high. In this the family lived for 
three years, and then made an addition to it. In 
1875 our subject built the fine new house which he 
now occupies. 

Caleb H. Lane was born in Tennessee, Aug. 
3, 1*17, and at the age of twelve was taken to 
Jacfcson County, 111., where his parents were among 
the earliest settlers, lie himself was a schoolmate 
of the late Gen. John A. Logan. His wife was 
Mrs. Mary Ann Crissler, and they were the parents 
of four children, all now living: Margaret is the 
wife of J. H. Purcell, whose history is given in 
another part of this volume; Barbara, now Mrs. 
Cooper, lives in North Auburn, Neb.; our subject 
was next, and the youngest was George M., a resi- 
dent of the northern part of Sheridan Precinct. 
The wife of Caleb Lane died in Table Rock Village 
in 1883, and he removed to his early home in 
Jackson Count}-, 111., where he is still living. 

March 12, 1873, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Pachael Melissa Freeman, a daugh- 
ter of Henry Freeman, of whom see sketch on 
another page. Three children were born of this 
union: Maud E., born ( let. 26, 1874, and died Sept. 
22. 1881; Eva Irene was born in March. 1880, and 
Harry, Aug. 31, 1881. The two latter are attending 
school. After his marriage he settled upon the 
place which has ever since been his home, where he 
has put up fine buildings and made many improve- 
ments. He is mainly engaged in the breeding of a 
tine class of draft horses, and is the owner of Sir 
Edward, an imported Clydesdale, register No. 
3,015. dark bay in color, of fine movement, three 
years old, sixteen and a half hands high, weighing 
1.670 pounds, and undoubtedly the best horse in 
the county. He is also the owner of Castor, an 
imported black Norman, four years old, handsomely 
built and good movement, register No. 3,036, 
height seventeen hands, weight 1,840 pounds. Be- 
sides these Mr. Lane has many other good horses. 

Our subject is now Moderator of Schools in his 
precinct, of which he has also been Assessor and 



Treasurer, although he is in no sense an office- 
seeker. He casts his vote for the candidates of the 
Democratic party, lie was born in Perry County, 
111., Sept. 12. 1852; and was eight years old when 
his parents brought him to this county. He was 
here at the time the first school-house was built in 
the precinct, at which time his father. C. II. Lane, 
was a member of the board, and before that our 
subject had attended a subscription school for 
three winters, which was taught by Mrs. Frank 
Sanford, whose husband was in the Union Army. 
After completing his education he worked as a 
farm hand until he was of age. His long residence 
here has made Mr. Lane one of the best known and 
most respected citizens of the county. 



AMES H. WALLACE. The United Presby- 
terian Church in Mission Creek Precinct has 
received a large proportion of its stimulus 
from the labors of Elder Wallace, who has 
been one of its most faithful coadjutors for many 
years. It would naturally seem that the student of 
Scripture would involuntarily have a rare appre- 
ciation of the works of nature, as is doubtless the 
case with the subject of this sketch, who. in addi- 
tion to his duties in connection with the church, 
has also opened up one of the finest farms in this 
county, and is largely interested in general agri- 
culture and stock-raising. His has been an expe- 
rience rich and full of life and its various phases. 
During the Civil War he entered the service of his 
country, and came out of it one of its most honored 
veterans. In all the relations of life lie has sus- 
tained himself with Christian dignity, and is lo< iked 
upon as one of the hading men of this community. 
As will be naturally inferred, our subject traces 
his ancestry to Scotland, a nationality than which 
there is no better on the face of the globe. He was 
born in Uniontown, Belmont Co., Pa.. July 7, 1837. 
His father. David Wallace, married Miss Frances 
C. Rose, and they were both natives of the Key- 
stone State, the mother born near Shippensburg, 
Cumberland County. The paternal grandfather, 
David Wallace, was born in Ireland, being a scion 
of one of the families who fled from their native 



n 




624 



l'AWNEE COUNTY. 



rln 



Scotland and sought refuge in that region from re- 
ligious persecution. Upon emigrating to America 
Grandfather Wallace settled in Pennsylvania, 
where he engaged in farming a few years, then 
removed to Ohio, during the first settlement of 
Belmont County. He served in the War of 1812 
as a private. Later, resuming agricultural pur- 
suits in the Buckeye State, he became a prominent 
and influential man. an old-line Whig, politically, 
and a Justice of the Peace. He died in Belmont 
County at the age of seventy-two 3-ears. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
Robert Rose, a native of Pennsylvania, and of En- 
glish ancestry. He was occupied during his early 
manhood as a teamster, farmer and miller, but upon 
his removal to Ohio purchased land, and devoted 
himself exclusively to agriculture. He also was 
one of the pioneer settlers of Belmont County. 
where he spent the remainder of his days, passing 
away at the ripe old age of eighty years. David 
Wallace, the father of our subject, was reared at 
the farm in Belmont County, Ohio, but like many 
young men, upon reaching his majority, and on ac- 
count of a crippled hand, left the farm and learned 
the trade of harness-maker. He removed from Bel- 
mont to Guernsey County in 1843, and he returned 
to the employments in which he had been reared, 
purchasing land, and like his father before him en- 
gaged in farming, stock-raising and milling, operat- 
ing both a saw and grist mill on his own farm. 
This comprised 160 acres, and adjacent to it grew 
up the town of Fairview. 

The father of our subject left Ohio in 1869, mi- 
grating to Henderson County. 111., and purchasing 
land near what is now the flourishing town of 
Biggsville. He built up a good farm, and there 
spent the remainder of his days, passing away in 
the spring of 1874, when seventy-two years old. 
Both he and his excellent wife had identified them- 
selves with the United Presbyterian Church in their 
youth. The mother is still living, in Illinois, and 
is now eighty 3-ears of age. The parental house- 
hold included ten children, namely: Mary and 
Ann E.,who are deceased; R. R.. who is a County 
Judge in Illinois; James H., our subject; Margaret. 
Mrs. Graham, a resident of Henderson County. 
111.; Sarah T., Mrs. Larimer, of Taylor County, 



Iowa; David H., in Illinois; W. T.. a farmer in 
Missouri; Cecelia, a resident of Colorado; and John, 
of Sioux City. Iowa. 

William Wallace, a younger brother of our sub- 
ject, served during the late war in an Ohio regi- 
ment, about nine months. R. R. was in the 74th 
Ohio Infantry, serving from 1861 until the close. 
and suffering a broken leg by the falling of his 
horse. He was first promoted to Sergeant, and 
kept climbing up until he was given a Captain's 
commission over a compaivyof heavy artillery, and 
with this rank was mustered out. James H., our 
subject, attended the High School during his 
youth, and remained on the farm with his parents 
until, emulating the patriotism of his brothers, he 
too enlisted as a Union soldier, in August, 1862, 
in Company H, 122d Ohio Infantry. His regi- 
ment was made part of the 3d Division. 6th Corps, 
Army of the Potomac. He was mustered in at 
Zanesville. Ohio, sent first to Parkersburg, and 
later did garrison duty at Winchester, Ya., under 
Gen. Milroy. He was at the battle of Mine Run, 
under the command of Gen. Meade, in the fall of 
1X63, and later fought with Grant in the battles 
of the Wilderness. He also met the enemy at 
Spottsylvania, at Cold Harbor, and was in front of 
Petersburg. Later he went down the Shenadoah 
Valley with Sheridan. He also participated in the 
fights at Opequan, Flint Hills. Cedar Creek, and in 
many minor engagements and skirmishes, and in 
the spring of 1865 was again in front of Peters- 
burg; was in that part of the army that followed 
Lee, and was in the final battle at Sailor's Creek. 
At the close of the war he received an honorable 
discharge at Columbus, Ohio. 

Upon becoming a civilian Mr. W. returned to his 
old home in Ohio, and farmed until 1867. He then 
determined to seek the farther West, and repairing 
to Cedar Rapids. Iowa, engaged in the sale of ag- 
ricultural implements, which he prosecuted eighteen 
months. The summer of 1869 he worked on a farm 
in Clinton County, and in the meantime his par- 
ents had removed to Henderson County, 111. He 
joined them there, remaining in that region until 
1873, farming on rented land. Returning to Iowa 
he located on Brokaw Prairie, in Gage County, but 
later made another trip to the Prairie State, spend- 



B «•■ 



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— > II — 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



625 



ing one summer there. In August, 1X71, In- started 
overland with a team t<> this county, crossing the 
Missouri River at Brownville. Flu soon located 
160 acres cf land in Mission Creek Precinct, and 
commenced at first principles to open up a farm. 
This has since been his abiding-place, and all the 
improvements which the passing traveler to-day 
beholds with interest and admiration are the results 
of his industry. He set out a grove the second 
year, has an abundance of fruit trees, good build- 
ings, live stock, and all the other accessories of the 
well-regulated farm. His stock embraces good 
breeds of horses, cattle and swine, many of them 
graded animals, and among them some of the finest 
to be seen in the county. 

Miss Fanny L. Foster, of Monmouth, 111., became 
the wife of our subject on the 1th of March, 1874. 
Mrs. Wallace was a native of South Carolina, and 
was born near Abbeville. Slie died at her home in 
this precinct early in the year 188!). She was a 
lady who had the love and respect of all who knew 
her. Of her union with our subject there are three 
children— Ralph F.. Ora R. and Frank P. Mr. 
Wallace votes the straight Republican ticket, and is 
a man active in the support of his principles, fre- 
quently being sent as a delegate to County Conven- 
tions, and giving cheerfully of his time and means 
to the furtherance of every good work. He is a 
member of the School Board of his precinct, and 
has represented it in the County Board of Super- 
visors. He is an Elder in the United Presbyterian 
Church of Mission Creek, and is active in the Sun- 
day-school, a regular teacher in the Bible Class, 
and otherwise laboring earnestly in the Master's 
vineyard. He was longago placed anion" the rep- 
resentative men of Pawnee County, who have 
assisted in its development and prosperity. 




ffiOHN C. BECK was born in Clarioi 
|l Pa., Oct. 12, 1858. and is the son 
I, F. and Sophia (Oglesby) Beck. Tl 
((^// died in 1864, Leaving our subjec 



OHN C. BECK was born in Clarion County. 

of David 
'he mother 

ijjj iueu in inoi. Leaving our subject and his 
two sisters. Mary .lane and Eva. About a year 



•t 



later the father, taking Our subject with him, re- 
moved to near Caledonia. Minn., where Mr. Beck 
owned a flouring-mill. They remained there but two 
years, however, then the father taking his young 
son. removed to Victory. Vernon Co.. Wis., and 
there Mr. Heck engaged for three years in tin- 
hotel business. At the expiration of this time 
they both removed to Pawnee County, Neb. Dur- 
ing- these migrations of the father and son. (he two 
sisters remained in Pennsylvania, where the younger 
sister. Eva, died. 

David F. Beck did not long remain in Ne- 
braska, going soon after to Kansas, and is now liv- 
ing in Norton County, in that State. For several 
years he has been Deputy County Recorder. 

On coming to Nebraska with his father, our sub- 
ject remained in Table Rock, which has ever since 
been his home. He is now partner of William L. 
Taylor, in the livery stable business at that place, 
having the best establishment of the kind in the city. 
He has been fairly successful in business, and ranks 
among the enterprising and progressive young 
business men of the county. Ever since he has 
been old enough to vote he has been a stanch ad- 
herent of the Republican party. 

October 22, 188 I. John C. Beck was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Alice McKinzie. She is a daughter 
of William McKinzie, of Grove City, Christian 
Co.. 111., and she and her future husband became 
acquainted while she was visiting a sister who re- 
sides in Table Rock. Of this union one child has 
been born, a daughter named Laura V., now three 
years old. Mrs. Beck is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 






UILLIAM L.TAYLOR, of the firm of Taylor 
& Beck, livery stable keepers. Table Rock. 
W(/ is an enterprising and intelligent repre- 
sentative of the business men of this city. He is 
a son of one of Pawnee County's well-known pio- 
neers. John Taylor. The father was Imni in Scot- 
land, March I. 1826, and came to America in 1848 
in the Hush of early manhood. In 1850 he returned 



*T 



626 



t 



PAWNEE COUNTY. 



to his native hind for his promised bride, Miss 
Mary Wishart, and on the 3d of July they were 
united in marriage. Returning to his adopted 
country with his young wife, Mr. Taylor settled in 
Wilkesbarre, Pa., and in that town our subject was 
born to his parents June 2, 1851. In 1853, when 
he was two years of age they removed to Hawes- 
ville, Ky., and there the father established himself 
at his trade of blacksmith, which he conducted in 
that place the following eleven years. Four chil- 
dren were born to him and his wife during their 
residence in Kentucky. 

In 1864 Mr. Taylor, accompanied by his family, 
sought a still newer country in the then Territory 
of Nebraska. He bought 1 60 acres of land on sec- 
tion 7, Sheridan Precinct, and took up another 160- 
acre tract under the provisions of the Homestead 
Act, and in the ensuing years, by incessant and 
skillful labor developed the whole 320 acres into 
one of the finest and most productive farms in the 
precinct. He erected a small log house in which 
the family lived for three or four years, and he 
then replaced it with a more substantial and room}' 
house of stone, the dwelling being 30x33 feet. The 
most of his land is tillable or else pasturage or tim- 
ber. He hedged it and cross fenced it, and set out 
an orchard and windbreak, and made all the useful 
improvements usually made by an enterprising far- 
mer. He fed all of his grain, and raised about 100 
cattle and hogs yearly, keeping none but standard 
grades. He was here when the nearest market was 
the Missouri River, and the lumber for his house 
he had to draw from St. Joseph and Nebraska City. 
He became identified with the various interests of 
the precinct, and with great public spirit supported 
any enterprise that was calculated to be beneficial 
to it. He took an especially active part in pro- 
moting the educational facilities of Sheridan, and 
was there when the district in which he lived was 
organized, and was appointed the first Director of 
the district, and in that capacity was a member 
of the building committee that had charge of the 
erection of the frame school-house that was put up 
for the accommodation of the scholars in that part 
of the precinct, and for the first few years he paid 
the largest percentage of the taxes. He was one 
of the earliest settlers of the precinct to have an 



•►*♦ 



extensive farm with all the necessary improve- 
ments, large barn, etc., and everything complete to 
make it a first-class farm. He was a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and of the I. O. O. F. 
He was an intelligent reader, a man of good capac- 
ity and strict integrity, and as one of the substan- 
tial men of the community his death Oct. 26, 188S, 
was esteemed a great loss. He was twice married. 
The wife of his early manhood, the mother of our 
subject, died June 15, 1870 or 1871. For his second 
wife he married Mrs. Nancy Wyman, of this place, 
and she still survives him. They had two children. 

The subject of this sketch remained with his 
father until he was about twenty-four years old, 
finishing his education at the Pawnee Academy, 
and after gaining a good practical experience of 
farming under his father's instruction, he engaged 
in that calling for himself. He was thus actively 
engaged until 1878, when he moved to Table 
Rock, and until the following year was in J. Bar- 
ker's store. In 1879 he established the livery busi- 
ness, and continued it alone until 1881, when he 
was burned out. He then started up anew with a 
partner, who remained with him some years until 
Mr. Beck bought out his share, and entered into 
partnership with our subject. They have a large 
and well-appointed livery stable, with good road 
horses and neat, comfortable turn-outs, and are 
doing an extensive and lucrative business. 

To the lady who presides over his pleasant and 
hospitable home, our subject was united in marriage, 
in Table Rock, Oct. 4, 1877. Mrs. Taylor, whose 
maiden name was Minnie J. Fox, was born Jan. 
27, 1858, in Pennsylvania, a daughter of R. and 
Mary Fox, likewise natives of that State. Her 
mother came West and settled in Nemaha County 
in the pioneer days. Mrs. Fox came the next year 
to this precinct, and took up a homestead claim. 
Her husband subsequently went to war and died 
in Libby Prison. Mrs. Fox moved onto a claim 
with her family, and bravely held it in spite of 
adverse circumstances. She is still living in town, 
and is much respected by all who know her. 

Our subject is a man of excellent judgment, has 
a clear, cool head for business, and his credit is 
good in financial circles. Politically, he is a Re- 
publican. 

* » 



BIOGFJfH^KspLc. 



■*HM» 




++* 



■M- 



"T 



Adams, John 23 

Adams, J . Q 39 

Aikins, H. L 428 

A ik ins, William 613 

Alder, Jacob 244 

Anderson, W.I 491 

Appelget, A. M 216 

Appelget, Judge Thomas 163 

Archer, Benjamin 227 

Archer, J. L 264 

Arrastead, Job 299 

A meal, T. A . . .471 

Arthur, Chester A 99 

Atkins, W. C 243 

Atkinson, J. C 448 

Auker, G. W 37° 



B 



Bacon, Solon 351 

Badberg, John H 404 

Baker, A. E 603 

Baker, Allen C 259 

Baker, B. J 183 

Baker, T. C 234 

Ball, A. B 410 

Barr, J.D S57 

Barr, Joseph 557 

Barr, William 572 

Barret, J . E 365 

Beal, John 372 

Beck, J. C 625 

Becker, S. S 433 

Beethe, C. A 262 

Beethe, C. H 309 

Bell, E. F 344 

Bell, E. W 574 

Bennett, George D 188 

Benson, William 377 

Bcrrie, Samuel 25* 

Berry, D. H 367 

Berry, Hon- E. M 616 

Biesemeier, C- F. A 320 

Biner, N . O 415 

■4» 



Blacklaw, Mrs. M . E 560 

Blake, Palmer 257 

Blakeley, Jacob 268 

Blythe, James S 400 

Boomgaarn, John 426 

Boone, E. T --453 

Bradley, C. T 387 

Bratton, J. H 585 

Bridges, John W 293 

Brigham, Josiah 279 

Broady , Frederick 276 

Brooks, J. B - 510 

Brooks, Thomas H 413 

Brown, E. A 366 

Brown, Isaac 464 

Brown, John E 352 

Brown, J. T 594 

Brown, Silas L 330 

Bruch, J. H 468 

Bstandig, Ferdinand. 430 

Buchanan, James — 75 

Buehler, Christian 404 

Buffum, J. W 206 

Bull, W. B 603 

Burow, Gottfried 538 

Bush, D. R 300 

Bush, George 473 

Butler, David in 

Byrne, Michael . .463 

C 

Campbell, John C . . . . 380 

Cannell, J.D 197 

Carlyle, James E 259 

Carman, Enoch 391 

Carman, Henry C 189 

Carman, Hon. A. A 282 

Carman, Israel 332 

Carman, James A 411 

Carman, William E 385 

Carmine, George W 221 

Carver, John 592 

Cathcart, Grant C 351 

Cathcart, Joseph M 347 

Chamberlain, Clarence K 158 

Chamberlain, Charles M . . .158 

Chamberlin, M arcus 292 

Chubb lick, C. K.,M. D 229 

Cleveland, S. G rover 103 

Cody, Hon. M . K. 393 



Collins, George W 506 

Collins, William R 190 

Combs, Elzie 372 

Conard, John 488 

Condon, J. T 621 

Conklin, David C 205 

Cook, Andrew 156 

Cook, Edward 333 

Cook, James W 399 

Cooper, Hugh L 334 

Cornell, T. L , 451 

Crile, Michael 228 

Crow, J. H 296 

Curry, Charles W 607 

Curry, R. F a 3 S 

Curtis, Harrison J 215 

Curtis, W. H 454 



Dafoe, P. V. R., M. D 37 » 

Davenport, George W 509 

Davis, John 486 

Davis, Luther L 519 

Dawes, James W 127 

Derr, John 249 

Determann, Lewis H . . . 236 

Deulen, James 394 

Dew, Robert 378 

Dible, John H 257 

Dickerson, Philip 186 

Dickinson, H. S 531 

Dilworth, W. S 248 

I > i mo n , C. V 527 

Dollarhide, A. H 241 

Dorsey, B. F 198 

Drake, B. F 324 

Drook, William 266 

Dunlap, W. L 340 



E 



Easterday, M. V 389 

Eaton, Alexander 24a 

Eaton, Stephen W 273 

F.dgerton, J. W 431 

Edwards, J. L 585 



Edwards, T. J 291 

Elliott, John M 260 

Ellis, Fernandes H 256 

Ellis, Hon. Charles C 265 

Ellison, Mc 553 

Epley, John 407 

Ernst, Herman .... 232 

Eruin, Kobert M 345 



Fillmore, Millard 67 

Finzer, Jacob 334 

Flanagin, John 549 

Foale, Peter G. ... -455 

Frank, Christian F 443 

Frank, William A 479 

Frazee, Hiram 579 

Freeburn, Hon. William 297 

Freeman, Henry 447 

Fuller, B. H 480 

Fuller, William 338 

Furnas, Robert W 115 



G 



Gabby, Hugh 439 

Gallagher, Davis 537 

Garber, Silas 119 

Gardner, William H 343 

Garfield, James A 95 

Gehr, Israel 363 

Gill, James F 582 

CUiss, James R 176 

Glasson, Joseph 282 

Goering, George • 203 

Goin, Phillip 481 

Gold, Peter 484 

Goldsby, John t8o 

Goodman, Thomas 230 

Gore, Joshua 350 

Gore, W. R : 57 

Goudy, A. K 578 

Goudy, J. K 474 

Grant, Ulysses S 87 



f 



•Hl^*^ 



*HMi 



INDEX. 



Grilling, O. W 576 

Griffing, W. A 595 

Grimes, William 108 



H 



Hachenberg, Mrs. Manie 522 

Hachenberg. Mrs. Polly 54° 

H alderman, Hon. W. J 543 

Hall, John E 295 

Hall, L. G 202 

Hall, Theodora 546 

Hamilton, James S. H 375 

Hammond, R. H 569 

Hankins, W. C 534 

Hansen, E. A 444 

Harmon, George W 284 

Harrington, A. L 496 

Harris, F. A 314 

Harris, W. R 383 

Harrison, Benjamin 107 

Harrison, J. D 466 

Harrison, W. H 51 

Hartwell, Richard .403 

Hassler, A. E 578 

Ha 11 berg, Eggert 407 

Hays, Joseph 618 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Hazels, Joseph 598 

Heer, Benjamin 507 

Helmes, Dr. J. E 470 

Henry, James ■ . . .356 

Hervey, William 392 

Heywood, A. E 505 

Hildebrand, Benjamin F 535 

HSU, James 166 

Hill, W. H 377 

Hitchcock, Caleb 541 

Hitchcock, Col. N. F 342 

Hitchcock. E. Ross - .310 

Hitchcock, J . H 251 

Holmes, Hon. Charles A 153 

Holmes, O. M 275 

Holmes, Warren H 225 

Holmes, William H -373 

Hopkins, P. H 199 

Hosick, Lawrence W 399 

Hotaling.D. W 388 

Howard, James N 270 

Howarth, Henry 357 

Howe, O. D ...499 

Howe, Rnfus 193 

Hunzeker, Henry 427 

Hunzeker, John R 491 

H us to n . Robert 239 



f 



Iden,G. W 328 

Inglis, Robert 485 

Irwin, Isaac 353 

Izer, John , 5 »_j 

4* 



Jackson, Andrew 43 

Jefferson, Thomas 27 

Jenkins, H . S 509 

Jobes, William W 360 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Jones, Henry W 348 

Jones, James T 210 

Jordan, L. D 517 

Jury, E. G ...220 



Keiser, John E 445 

Reiser, Nimrod 445 

Kelly, G. W 577 

Kennedy, James ... . 609 

Keplinger, J - W 219 

Kershaw, John 349 

King, Charles L 174 

King, Mrs. Desire J 331 

King, W. L 406 

Kingsbury, Ephraim 620 

Koli n, Frederick T72 

Krause, August 101 

Kuhlman, Diedrich 278 



Landweir, Henry ...386 

Lane, A . E 622 

Lawrence, J. A 323 

Layman, Jacob T 524 

Lester, E . L . ... t6o 

Libby, William H 316 

Liming, F. F . . . 425 

Lincoln, Abraham , 77 

Livingston, Duncan 321 

Luce, Worthy 402 

Luthy, John .442 

Luthy, Simon 441 

Lyman, W. G 437 



M 



Macy, John F 374 

Madison, James 31 

Manley, A. F 449 

Marble, H. P 255 

Marrs, Alexander 286 

Matthews, T ho mas H 362 

Mavity, Leander P 2S7 

McCasland, J. N., M. D 456 

McClintock, William 515 

McClure, Thomas 396 

McConnel, John 185 

McCready, R. J 542 

McDannold, John E 354 

McDonald, Richard ,545 

M enehan, Thomas 615 

Merrill, H. \V 303 



Meyer, H. C. F 495 

Milks. T. W 305 

Miller, D. K 614 

Milton, James 532 

Miner, Samuel 178 

Moller, Henry 398 

Monroe, James 35 

Moore, C. W 252 

Moore, S. V 525 

M or ley, John 568 

Morrison, Rev. Dr. Marion . .563 

Morton, J. B 487 

Morton, Wilburn 159 

N 

Nance, Albinus 123 

Neader, Charles 50S 

Nelson, Elmer W 302 

Nesbitt. Josiah 597 

Niemann, Wilhelm 293 

Noble, A. B 339 

Norris, Hon- C. H 516 

o 

Olmsted, John J 315 

Osgood, D. F 165 

Ost, L. E 317 

Otis, Leroy 28 1 



Paine, Orlo 170 

Parker, S- B 304 

Parrish, J. B 60S 

Patton, T. M — 357 

Payne, B. M 411 

Pence, R. L 194 

Pepoon, Hon. J. B 570 

Pepoon, Hon. T. W 605 

Pepper 1, A Win 498 

Pepperl, Frank .■•■554 

Pepperl, James 586 

Pepperl, Louis 465 

Perry, William W 416 

Phillips, C S 246 

Phillips, Elihu P 251 

Phillips, J. L 162 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Pierce. N D 313 

l'latt, Purdy 171 

Pohlenz, Christian 294 

Polk, James K 59 

Pool, Charles W 318 

Potter, G. C igt 

Pratt, John W 222 

Price, John P. . , 397 

Purcell, J. H 601 



R 

Raper, Hon. W. B 588 

Redfield, F. A 327 



Redfield, W. C 232 

Reed, Almeron 196 

Reed, Mrs. Sarah M 280 

Rees. J.W 477 

Rice, Marcus A 492 

Richardson, Daniel 213 

Richardson, P 261 

Robb, Hon. Washington 358 

Robb, H. W 599 

Roberts, C. W 195 

Robinson, C.P 395 

Rogers, L- M 567 

Rogge, Henry 212 

Root, William E 513 

Rothell, Frank 288 



Salzman, Andrew 167 

Sampson, Mrs. Elizabeth 169 

Samson, Russell H 558 

Sandifer, Walter E . .355 

Sandusky, Wiley 288 

Sapp, George W 233 

Saxenberger, Fred, M . D 571 

Schumann, Henry 302 

Schumann, John D 192 

Scott, R. T 526 

Scott, William 556 

Seip, Charles 561 

Shannon, S. S 552 

Shannon, T. H 521 

Shannon, W. A 536 

Sbarrett, John B 301 

Sharrett, Lafayette A 214 

Shaw, Enos M 391 

Shaw, J - W 591 

Shay, James -379 

Shellhorn, Jerome , 536 

Shewey, Mrs. Margaret 587 

Smart, Robert 179 

Smith, C. B 194 

Smith, J.N. 55s 

Smith, Theodore ... 211 

Souders, Jonathan 310 

Souders, William A 403 

Sovereign, Abraham 436 

Stanton, Michael 224 

Starkey,W.C 574 

Stevens, Peter 581 

Stewart, J ■ T 612 

Stewart, Malcolm, M . D 416 

Stoltenberg. James 261 

Strong, H . B .401 

Sullivan, A. C 155 

Sutton, William 497 

Sutton, William 397 

Swallow, John P 459 

Swart, A. H 277 



Talcott, William H ...267 

Taylor, F. H 435 

Taylor, Franklin 361 



» ► w T < * 



-=-e> 



INDEX. 



fr 



Taylor, W. 1 625 

Taylor, Zachary.... 63 

Thayer, John M 131 

Thompson, J . M 312 

Tillotson. James 562 

Turman, Z. B 583 

Tyler, John 55 



Van Buren, Martin 47 

■ran Ness, W. G 175 



Vedder, K. L 
Vetter, J. J.. 



.49° 
204 



W 



Walker, Marcus 258 

Walker, Hon. M. K 589 

Wallace, J. H 623 

Warner, D . S 409 

Washburn, F. E 482 

Washington, George 19 

Watson, Ann E 311 



Webb, James 173 

Welch, G. W 5 oi 

W ha ley, John 461 

Wheeler, Ephraim . . . .550 

White, William 611 

Whith am, Joseph 369 

Whitney, John R 337 

Wilkinson, Charles 213 

Williamson, A. M 405 

Wilson, C. M 319 

Wilson, David J 190 

Wilson, Judge John 184 

Winters, Lewis 237 

Wolff, Julius :8 7 

Wood, Edgar 502 



Wood, JohnC 583 

Woodley, Cornelius 177 



Young, J. L 200 

Young, William M .a 



Z insmaster, Jacob J 274 




Adams, John 22 

Adams, John Q 38 

Arthur, Chester A 98 

Baker, Benjamin J 182 

Buchanan, James 74 

Butler, David no 

Cleveland, S. Grover 10a 

Dawes, James W 126 

Dickinson, H. S 53c 

Kd wards, T. J 290 



Fillmore, Millard 66 

Flanagin, John ...... . 548 

Flan agin, Mrs. Sarah J 548 

Furnas, Robert W 114 

Garber, Silas 118 

Garfield, James A 94 

Grant, Ulysses S 86 

Harrison, Benjamin 106 

Harrison, William H 50 

Hayes, Rutherford B ..90 



Holmes, Hon. C. A 152 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jefferson, Thomas 26 

Johnson, Andrew 82 

Liming, Fielding F 424 

Lincoln, Abraham 78 

Madison, J ames 30 

Marble, H. P 254 

Monroe, James 34 

Nance, Albums. 122 



Pierce, Franklin 70 

Polk, James K 5 8 

Redfield, F. A 33 6 

Rogers, L. M 5 66 

Swallow, John P 458 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

Thayer, John M 130 

Tyler, John . 54 

Van l.uren, Martin 46 

Washington, George 18 




Barret, J. E 364 

Beethe, Carl Henry 308 

Brown, E. A 364 

Caihcart,J. M 346 

Curry, R. F 236 

Finzer, Jacob 33s 

Frank, C. F 440 



Frank, W. A 476 

Fuller, William 135 

Harris, W. R 382 

Holmes, 0. M 272 

Jones. H- W 346 

J ury, K. G 218 

Keplinger. J . W 218 



Luthy, John 440 

Luthy. Simon 440 

Macy, J- F . 272 

McC Unlock, William, 512 

Rees, J. W 476 

Richardson, Daniel 207 

Root , W . K 512 



Sharrett, L. A 207 

Souders, Jonathan 308 

Whitney, J. R 335 

Wilkinson, Charles 207 

Winters, L 236 

Zinsmaster, J.J 272 



\ 



*•■ 




*T 



